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