Sunland Park Derby at Sunland Park

Dave Bond

Las Vegas, NV -- The 10th edition of the Grade 3 Sunland Derby comes our way from Sunland Park in New Mexico this Sunday, March 25th. The race features eight three year olds looking to collect a little graded stakes earnings toward a possible entry into the Kentucky Derby in May.

With $800,000 on the line, nearly $500,000 to the winner, horses from the biggest stables in the land will be represented. Todd Pletcher, Steve Asmussen and of course Bob Baffert will all be represented in the 12th race on Sunland's Sunday schedule. Post time is 5:45 PM. The Sunland Derby caps a big race day at Sunland Park, with multiple stakes races and purses totaling over $1.5 million for the day.

Here is a list of the eight contenders and the credentials that brought them to this lucrative Derby prep.

Sunland Park Derby Race Favorites

Castaway - has won two straight races - the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park on February 20th and a Maiden Special Weight race at Santa Anita on January 21st. Bob Baffert trained Castaway can join the list of Kentucky Derby favorites with a win on Sunday.

Sunland Park Derby betting at Sunland Park with OffTrackBetting.com

Daddy Nose Best - enters the Sunland Derby on the heels of a very impressive win at the Grade 3 El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate on February 18th and will be looking for his first win on conventional dirt. Regular rider Julien Leparoux will be aboard Daddy Nose Best knowing that a second place finish is all that will be needed to qualify for the Kentucky Derby in May.

Remaining Field Entries

Stirred Up - looked great for trainer Bob Baffert in winning a Maiden Special Weight race at Santa Anita on March 3rd. Before that he finished third in a similar race on February 11th. Stirred Up has placed in all three career starts - a win, a second and a third place finish.

Isn't He Clever - has raced twice on this Sunland track and has won both times - most recently the Borderland Derby on February 25th. Isn't He Clever has six career starts with four wins and a second place finish.

Ender Knievel - Todd Pletcher trained Ender Knievel has a win and a second place finish in the last two starts, the win coming by 7 3/4 lengths in a Maiden Special Weight race at Gulfstream on February 5th. Ender Knievel is fast and could surprise.

Tequila Factor - won his most recent start - the Tempe Handicap at Turf Paradise on March 17th but before that was fifth at the Borderland Derby at Sunland Park on February 25th.

No Spin - hasn't fared all that well lately - a sixth at the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes in February and a 10th at the Smarty Jones Stakes in January, both at Oaklawn Park.

Justanoldsong - has only two starts, one being a win at a Maiden Special Weight race at Sunland on December 31st. Justanoldsong followed that up with a respectable sixth at the Borderland Derby on February 25th.


Sunland Park Derby Entries

Race 12 on Sunland's Sunday card with a Post Time of 5:45 PM.

Post Horse Jockey Trainer
1 Castaway R. Bejarano B. Baffert
2 Ender Knievel J. Velazquez T. Pletcher
3 Stirred Up M. Garcia B. Baffert
4 Isn't He Clever L. Contreras H. Dominguez
5 No Spin C. Hill T. Ice
6 Daddy Nose Best J. Leparoux S. Asmussen
7 Tequila Factor M. Hernandez C. Wilson
8 Justanoldsong R. Eikleberry D. Wolochuk