Sunland Derby

Horse race

Sunland DerbyGrade III race

Location| Sunland Park Racetrack
Sunland Park, New Mexico, United States
Inaugurated| 2003
Race type| Thoroughbred \- Flat racing
Website| www.sunland-park.com/winstar.htm
Race information
Distance| 1+1⁄8 miles (9 furlongs)
Surface| Dirt
Track| left-handed
Qualification| Three-year-olds
Weight| Fillies: 117 lbs.
Colts & Geldings: 122 lbs
Purse| $800,000 (2019)

The Sunland Derby is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Sunland Park Racetrack in Sunland Park, New Mexico. Inaugurated in 2003, the race is open to three-year-olds willing to race one and one-eighth miles on the dirt and is sponsored by WinStar Farm of Versailles, Kentucky. Held in March, the Sunland Derby currently offers a purse of $800,000.

In its 11th year in 2013, it received Grade III status from the American Graded Stakes Committee for the first time in 2010.[1] It is listed as an official Kentucky Derby prep race.

The 2016 running of the Sunland Derby was cancelled due to an outbreak of Equine herpesvirus 1.[2]

## Contents

* 1 Records
* 2 Winners
* 3 See also
* 4 References

## Records[edit]

Speed record:

* 1:46.94 - Cutting Humor (2019) (at current distance of 9 furlongs)
* 1:42.84 - Excessivepleasure (2003) (at former distance of 8.5 furlongs)

Most wins by a jockey:

* 2 - Victor Espinoza (2006, 2007)
* 2 - Martin Garcia (2013, 2014)

Most wins by a trainer:

* 3 - Bob Baffert (2006, 2013, 2014)
* 3 - Doug O'Neill (2003, 2005, 2022)

Most wins by an owner:

* 2 - Michael E. Pegram (2006, 2013)

## Winners[edit]

Year
| Winner
| Jockey
| Trainer
| Owner
| Time

|
|
|
|
|

2022  | Slow Down Andy  | Mario Gutierrez | Doug O'Neill | Reddam Racing | 1:50.16
2020  | Not run due to the COVID-19 pandemic[3]
2019  | Cutting Humor  | John Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | Starlight Racing  | 1:46.94
2018  | Runaway Ghost  | Tracy J. Hebert  | Todd W. Fincher  | Joe Peacock  | 1:49.20
2017  | Hence  | Alfredo Juarez | Steve Asmussen | Calumet Farm | 1:48:10
2016  | Not run due to an outbreak of Equine herpesvirus[2]
2015  | Firing Line | Gary Stevens | Simon Callaghan | Arnold Zetcher  | 1:47.39
2014  | Chitu | Martin Garcia | Bob Baffert | Tanma Corporation  | 1:47.88
2013  | Govenor Charlie | Martin Garcia | Bob Baffert | Michael E. Pegram | 1:47.54
2012  | Daddy Nose Best | Julien Leparoux | Steve Asmussen | Cathy & Robert Zollars  | 1:48.59
2011  | Twice the Appeal | Christian Santiago Reyes | Jeff Bonde | Brown, Flores & Hernandez  | 1:50.91
2010  | Endorsement | Robby Albarado | Shannon Ritter | WinStar Farm | 1:48.46
2009  | Kelly Leak | Mike E. Smith | Mike Machowsky | Blahut Racing/Avila/Johnson  | 1:50.02
2008  | Liberty Bull | Gerard Melancon | Tom Amoss | Kenneth Maier  | 1:49.82
2007  | Song of Navarone | Victor Espinoza | Henry Dominguez | George E. Coleman  | 1:49.53
2006  | Wanna Runner | Victor Espinoza | Bob Baffert | Michael E. Pegram | 1:48.88
2005  | Thor's Echo | Corey Nakatani | Doug O'Neill | Suarez Racing Stable  | 1:49.59
2004  | Hi Teck Man | Ricardo Jaime  | Johnnie Nall | Hassel & Bonnie Spraberry  | 1:43.20
2003  | Excessivepleasure | Pat Day | Doug O'Neill | Lee & Ty Leatherman  | 1:42.84

## See also[edit]

* Road to the Kentucky Derby

## References[edit]

1. ^ Two Fewer Graded Stakes in 2010
2. ^ a b Lintner, Jonathan (6 March 2016). "Sunland Park cancels key Ky. Derby, Oaks preps". www.courier-journal.com. The Courier-Journal. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
3. ^ Maryland, New Mexico Close Tracks, Simulcast Facilities

* The 2009 Sunland Derby at the NTRA