Sunland Park made a significant change to its stakes schedule for 2024, moving the Sunland Park Derby five weeks back on the calendar from its previous spot in March to February.

Sunland made the adjustment after the qualifying race for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve had its points reduced from 50 for the winner in 2023 to 20 points in 2024.

Considering the race would offer points to the top five finishers on a scale of 20-10-6-4-2, the decision was made to shift the date to allow participants a chance to earn qualifying points in-between the Sunland Derby and the May 4 Derby. In previous years, 50 points guaranteed the winner a place in the Derby starting gate, but this year’s runners very likely will need to add to their totals to qualify for the first jewel of the Triple Crown.

1. No Trouble (10-1 morning-line odds): Enters off a three-length win in a 6 ½-furlong sprint on this main track Jan. 18 in his second career start. Faces both a distance and class test here at 1 1/16 miles in his stakes debut, but respect the jockey-trainer tandem that pulled a 35.40-1 upset in this race a year ago.

Jockey: Ken Tohill; Trainer: Joel Marr

2. Surroundedbyangels (12-1): Dueled for the lead in the Riley Allison Derby and faded late to finish a well-beaten third in just his second start. He won a 5 ½-furlong sprint in his debut, so Surroundedbyangels could have more stamina in reserve in his second try in around two turns.

Jockey: Alejandro Medellin; Trainer: Bart Hone

3. Curlin’s Kaos (5-1): Earned first win in fourth start facing California-breds in a one-mile turf race Jan. 27. Winless in three starts on dirt but never out of the top three. Can’t be dismissed.

Jockey: Diego Herrera; Trainer: Antonio Garcia

Lucky Jeremy. (Coady Photography)

4. Lucky Jeremy (4-1): Shipped in from Kentucky to win the Riley Allison Derby by two lengths after a front-running maiden special weight race victory in October at Churchill Downs. His 98 Equibase Speed Figure for that win is the best in the field and his final eighth of a mile in :12.75 was promising. The pick.

Jockey: Christian Ramos; Trainer: Bill Morey

5. Stronghold (5-2): Southern California shipper probably will be the favorite after runner-up finishes in his last two starts to Nysos in the Bob Hope Stakes and Wynstock in the Los Alamitos Futurity. A repeat of his Los Alamitos Futurity effort might be enough to win here.

Jockey: Antonio Fresu; Trainer: Phil D’Amato

6. Alotaluck (6-1): Second by two lengths to Sunland Park Derby entrant Lucky Jeremy in the Riley Allison Derby and he dueled throughout the one-mile race for the lead. That was just his second start and his first try stretching out around two turns. The Sir Prancealot gelding showed plenty of fight and is eligible to improve.  

Jockey: Oscar Ceballos; Trainer: Ty J. Garrett

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7. Da Ringo (20-1): Tall order here with only a maiden claiming win to his credit and coming off a fourth-place finish in the Riley Allison Derby, beaten by 22 ½ lengths by Lucky Jeremy. That’s a lot of ground to make up on the horse three spots to his inside in the starting gate.

Jockey: Alfredo Juarez Jr.; Trainer: Jose Gonzalez Jr.

8. Informed Patriot (3-1): Finished third behind Liberal Arts in the Street Sense Stakes in October at Churchill Downs and third most recently in the Smarty Jones Stakes Jan. 1 at Oaklawn Park, beaten by 2 ¾ lengths by Catching Freedom. A major player.

Jockey: Joel Rosario; Trainer: Steve Asmussen

THE PICK: Lucky Jeremy

LIVE LONGSHOT: Alotaluck

SUPERFECTA: 4-8-6-5