Sunland Derby (GIII)

Sunland Park • Sunland Park, NM, USA 20-10-6-4-2
February 16, 2025

Sunland Derby Race History

The Sunland Derby (G3) was inaugurated in 2003 and is best known for producing Mine That Bird, who parlayed a fourth-place finish at Sunland into a 50-1 upset in the Kentucky Derby (G1).

Two other notable winners through the years have been Thor’s Efcho, who followed up his 2005 victory into a champion sprinter title the following year, and 2015 scorer Firing Line, who later finished second in the Kentucky Derby to eventual Triple Crown winner American Pharoah.

Held for much of its history in late March over 1 1/8 miles, the Sunland Derby was rescheduled for mid-February and its distance reduced to 1 1/16 miles in 2024. Previously awarding 50 Derby qualifying points to the winner, its top five finishers now vie for a Derby points distribution of 20-10-6-4-2.

By J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com

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Entries

Jockey

Owner

Trainer

Current odds

Wagers

1

Itsmybirthday

Hernandez, Harry

Bennewith, Arnold, Wiest, Clayton and Wiest, Rick

Diodoro, Robertino

20/1

2

Remember Big Jim

Gonzalez, Elvin

Stephen Jamison

Cappellucci, Dick

12/1

3

Smash It

Geroux, Florent

Scott Bryant, Clay Cash, G. Chris Coleman, Brad King and Stan Kirby

Fincher, Todd W.

12/1

4

Getaway Car

Hernandez, Juan J.

SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, B

Baffert, Bob

9/5

5

Spenard

Valenzuela, Luis A.

Joe Schumer

Birdwell, Tena

20/1

6

Take Charge Tom

Mojica, Orlando

Randy Howg

Diodoro, Robertino

8/1

7

McKinzie Street

Vazquez, Ramon A.

Pierre Jean, Jr. & Leslie A. Amestoy and Roger K. Beasley

Evans, Justin R.

4/1

8

Touchy

Rosario, Joel

Three Chimneys Farm LLC (Goncalo B. Torrealba)

Ward, Wesley A.

7/2

9

Caldera

Bejarano, Rafael

MyRacehorse (Michael Behrens et al.)

Lukas, D. Wayne

5/1

Road to the Kentucky Derby

Risen Star (GII)

February 15, 2025

Fair Grounds • New Orleans, LA, USA

Points: 50-25-15-10-5

Sunland Derby (GIII)

February 16, 2025

Sunland Park • Sunland Park, NM, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

John Battaglia Memorial

February 22, 2025

Turfway Park • Florence, KY, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Rebel (GII)

February 22, 2025

Oaklawn Park • Hot Springs, AR, USA

Points: 50-25-15-10-5

Hyacinth

February 23, 2025

Tokyo Racecourse • Tokyo, Japan

Points: 30-15-9-6-3

Road to the Kentucky Derby Condition Stakes

February 26, 2025

Kempton • Sunbury-on-Thames, England, UK

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Fountain of Youth (GII)

March 1, 2025

Gulfstream Park • Hallandale Beach, FL, USA

Points: 50-25-15-10-5

San Felipe (GII)

March 1, 2025

Santa Anita • Arcadia, CA, USA

Points: 50-25-15-10-5

Gotham (GIII)

March 1, 2025

Aqueduct • New York, NY, USA

Points: 50-25-15-10-5

William Hill Top Price Guarantee Patton Race

March 7, 2025

Dundalk • Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

Tampa Bay Derby (GII)

March 8, 2025

Tampa Bay Downs • Tampa, FL, USA

Points: 50-25-15-10-5

Virginia Derby

March 15, 2025

Colonial Downs • New Kent, VA, USA

Points: 50-25-15-10-5

Louisiana Derby (GII)

March 22, 2025

Fair Grounds • New Orleans, LA, USA

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

Jeff Ruby Steaks (GIII)

March 22, 2025

Turfway Park • Florence, KY, USA

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

Fukuryu

March 29, 2025

Nakayama • Funabashi, Chiba, Japan

Points: 40-20-12-8-4

Arkansas Derby (GI)

March 29, 2025

Oaklawn Park • Hot Springs, AR, USA

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

Florida Derby (GI)

March 29, 2025

Gulfstream Park • Hallandale Beach, FL, USA

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

UAE Derby (GII)

April 5, 2025

Meydan Racecourse • Dubai, UAE

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

Santa Anita Derby (GI)

April 5, 2025

Santa Anita Park • Arcadia, CA, USA

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

Blue Grass (GI)

April 5, 2025

Keeneland • Lexington, KY, USA

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

Wood Memorial (GII)

April 5, 2025

Aqueduct • New York, NY, USA

Points: 100-50-25-15-10

Lexington (GIII)

April 12, 2025

Keeneland • Lexington, KY, USA

Points: 20-10-6-4-2

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