2026 Sunland Derby

about this race

Race Info
History

Sunland Park’s most important prep race for the Kentucky Derby is the Sunland Derby, contested on the dirt main track at a distance of 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs). The race gives the top four finishers points toward a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate. The race was first run in 2003 and achieved Grade 3 status for the 2011 edition, shortly after Mine That Bird ran fourth in the 2009 race in preparation for his 50-1 upset in the Kentucky Derby.

Eventual Breeders' Cup Sprint winner and Eclipse champion Thor's Echo won the 2005 Sunland Derby. Bob Baffert has won the race three times, most recently in 2014 with Chitu, Jockeys Victor Espinoza and Martin Garcia each have a pair of Sunland Derby victories. In 2016 the race was canceled with plans to return in 2017.

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Fastest Time (since 1976): 1:42:64
Greatest Winning Margin (since 1976): 14 1/4 lengths

Date	Past Winner	Trainer	Jockey	Owner
02/17/2024	Stronghold Trainer / Philip D'Amato Jockey / Antonio Fresu Owner / Waller, Eric M. and Waller, Sharon	Philip D'Amato	Antonio Fresu	Waller, Eric M. and Waller, Sharon
03/25/2023	Wild On Ice Trainer / Joel H. Marr Jockey / Ken S. Tohill Owner / Frank Sumpter	Joel H. Marr	Ken S. Tohill	Frank Sumpter
03/26/2022	Slow Down Andy Trainer / Doug F. O'Neill Jockey / Mario Gutierrez Owner / Reddam Racing LLC	Doug F. O'Neill	Mario Gutierrez	Reddam Racing LLC
03/23/2019	Cutting Humor Trainer / Todd A. Pletcher Jockey / John R. Velazquez Owner / Starlight Racing	Todd A. Pletcher	John R. Velazquez	Starlight Racing
03/24/2018	Runaway Ghost Trainer / Todd W. Fincher Jockey / Tracy J. Hebert Owner / Joe Peacock	Todd W. Fincher	Tracy J. Hebert	Joe Peacock
03/25/2017	Hence Trainer / Steven M. Asmussen Jockey / Alfredo J. Juarez, Jr. Owner / Calumet Farm	Steven M. Asmussen	Alfredo J. Juarez, Jr.	Calumet Farm
03/21/2015	Firing Line Trainer / Simon Callaghan Jockey / Gary L. Stevens Owner / Arnold Zetcher LLC	Simon Callaghan	Gary L. Stevens	Arnold Zetcher LLC
03/22/2014	Chitu Trainer / Bob Baffert Jockey / Martin Garcia Owner / Tanma Corporation	Bob Baffert	Martin Garcia	Tanma Corporation
03/23/2013	Govenor Charlie Trainer / Bob Baffert Jockey / Martin Garcia Owner / Mike Pegram	Bob Baffert	Martin Garcia	Mike Pegram
03/24/2012	Daddy Nose Best Trainer / Steven M. Asmussen Jockey / Julien R. Leparoux Owner / Cathy and Bob Zollars	Steven M. Asmussen	Julien R. Leparoux	Cathy and Bob Zollars
03/26/2011	Twice the Appeal Trainer / Jeff Bonde Jockey / Christian Santiago Reyes Owner / Brown, Rusty, Flores, Victor and Hernandez, Henry	Jeff Bonde	Christian Santiago Reyes	Brown, Rusty, Flores, Victor and Hernandez, Henry
03/27/2010	Endorsement Trainer / Shannon Ritter Jockey / Robby Albarado Owner / WinStar Farm LLC	Shannon Ritter	Robby Albarado	WinStar Farm LLC
03/28/2009	Kelly Leak Trainer / Michael Machowsky Jockey / Mike E. Smith Owner / Blahut Racing LLC, Avila, Dennis, Johnson, Dave, et al	Michael Machowsky	Mike E. Smith	Blahut Racing LLC, Avila, Dennis, Johnson, Dave, et al
03/15/2008	Liberty Bull Trainer / Thomas M. Amoss Jockey / Gerard Melancon Owner / Kenneth Maier	Thomas M. Amoss	Gerard Melancon	Kenneth Maier
03/17/2007	Song of Navarone Trainer / Henry Dominguez Jockey / Victor Espinoza Owner / George E. Coleman	Henry Dominguez	Victor Espinoza	George E. Coleman
03/31/2006	Wanna Runner Trainer / Bob Baffert Jockey / Victor Espinoza Owner / Mike Pegram	Bob Baffert	Victor Espinoza	Mike Pegram
04/01/2005	Thor's Echo Trainer / Doug F. O'Neill Jockey / Corey S. Nakatani Owner / Royce S. Jaime Racing Stable, Inc. and Suarez Racing, Inc.	Doug F. O'Neill	Corey S. Nakatani	Royce S. Jaime Racing Stable, Inc. and Suarez Racing, Inc.
03/27/2004	Hi Teck Man Trainer / Johnnie L. Nall Jockey / Ricardo Jaime Owner / Spraberry, Hassel R. and Bonnie V.	Johnnie L. Nall	Ricardo Jaime	Spraberry, Hassel R. and Bonnie V.
03/29/2003	Excessivepleasure Trainer / Doug F. O'Neill Jockey / Pat Day Owner / Leatherman, Lee and Ty	Doug F. O'Neill	Pat Day	Leatherman, Lee and Ty