Sunland Derby is becoming a lucrative spot for late developing 3-year-old Derby hopefuls
It was back in 2009 when Sunland Park’s Sunland Derby got some serious recognition from trainers, who look for a lucrative race before the Kentucky Derby time, which should have a good purse and serve as a good prep race for the Run for the Roses.
The 3-year-old gelding Mine That Bird changed the fate of the Sunland Derby in 2009, when he turned in a fourth place finish in the Sunland Derby, and consequently got sent as the long shot in the Kentucky Derby with the odds of 50 to 1, but with a crammed
run on the rails he posted one of the most sensational Kentucky Derby victory ever.
The following year the Sunland Derby earned the grade 3 status with the purse of $800,000 to be run over a distance of 1 1/8 miles on 25 March, 2012, at Sunland Park. The race is now considered to be a perfect spot for those Kentucky Derby hopeful 3-year-olds,
who developed a little late compare to their highly regarded counterparts.
Trainers like Steven Asmussen, Todd Pletcher and Bob Baffert will be pointing their colts toward the Sunland Derby and hope the earnings will help their colts and geldings qualify for the Derby.
Mrs. John Magnier owned 3-year-old colt, Castaway, broke his maiden at sixth asking at Santa Anita and then went on to win the divisional Grade 3 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park on 20 February, 2012, over a mile, defeating Jake Mo in second and Reckless
Jerry in third with the winning time of 1 minute and 38.09 seconds.
Baffert will be sending the Lemon Drop Kid colt, Stirred Up in the Sunland Derby as well, who is exiting a victory in his maiden special weight race at Santa Anita Park.
Henry Dominguez trained Isn’t He Clever will be the one to watch out, after his brilliant win in the Borderland Derby at Sunland Park.
"This horse is just maturing as time goes on," said Dominguez, "You know, what I like about Isn't He Clever is he doesn't get excited about anything. He's real good about anything that you want him to do."
Tags: