# Sunland Park Derby

The Sunland Park Derby is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Sunland Park Racetrack in Sunland Park, New Mexico. Inaugurated in 2003, the race is open to three-year-olds willing to race one and one-sixteenth miles on the dirt and is sponsored by WinStar Farm of Versailles, Kentucky. Held in March, the Sunland Derby currently offers a purse of $400,000.
In its 11th year in 2013, it received Grade III status from the American Graded Stakes Committee for the first time in 2010. It is listed as an official Kentucky Derby prep race.
The 2016 running of the Sunland Derby was cancelled due to an outbreak of Equine herpesvirus 1.
The 2020 running & 2021 running of the Sunland Derby was cancelled due to an outbreak of COVID-19.
In 2025 the event was downgraded by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to Listed status.

## Records

Speed record:
* 1+1⁄16 miles: 1:42.44 – Stronghold (2024)
* 1+1⁄8 miles: 1:46.94 – Cutting Humor (2019)
Most wins by a jockey:
* 2 - Victor Espinoza (2006, 2007)
* 2 - Martin Garcia (2013, 2014)
Most wins by a trainer:
* 4 - Bob Baffert (2006, 2013, 2014, 2025)
Most wins by an owner:
* 2 - Michael E. Pegram (2006, 2013)

## Winners

| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time |
| 2025 | Getaway Car | Juan J. Hernandez | Bob Baffert | SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital & Catherine Donovan | 1$^1$⁄$_{16}$ miles | 1:42.64 |
| 2024 | Stronghold | Antonio Fresu | Philip D’Amato | Eric M. Waller & Sharon Waller | 1$^1$⁄$_{16}$ miles | 1:42.64 |
| 2023 | Wild On Ice | Ken S. Tohill | Joel H. Marr | Frank Sumpter Jr. | 1$^1$⁄$_8$ miles | 1:51.39 |
| 2022 | Slow Down Andy | Mario Gutierrez | Doug O'Neill | Reddam Racing | 1$^1$⁄$_8$ miles | 1:50.16 |
| 2021 | Not run due to the COVID-19 pandemic | Not run due to the COVID-19 pandemic | Not run due to the COVID-19 pandemic | Not run due to the COVID-19 pandemic | Not run due to the COVID-19 pandemic | Not run due to the COVID-19 pandemic |
| 2020 | Not run due to the COVID-19 pandemic | Not run due to the COVID-19 pandemic | Not run due to the COVID-19 pandemic | Not run due to the COVID-19 pandemic | Not run due to the COVID-19 pandemic | Not run due to the COVID-19 pandemic |
| 2019 | Cutting Humor | John R. Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | Starlight Racing | 1$^1$⁄$_8$ miles | 1:46.94 |
| 2018 | Runaway Ghost | Tracy J. Hebert | Todd W. Fincher | Joe Peacock | 1$^1$⁄$_8$ miles | 1:49.20 |
| 2017 | Hence | Alfredo J. Juarez, Jr. | Steven M. Asmussen | Calumet Farm | 1$^1$⁄$_8$ miles | 1:48:10 |
| 2016 | Not run due to an outbreak of Equine herpesvirus | Not run due to an outbreak of Equine herpesvirus | Not run due to an outbreak of Equine herpesvirus | Not run due to an outbreak of Equine herpesvirus | Not run due to an outbreak of Equine herpesvirus | Not run due to an outbreak of Equine herpesvirus |
| 2015 | Firing Line | Gary Stevens | Simon Callaghan | Arnold Zetcher | 1$^1$⁄$_8$ miles | 1:47.39 |
| 2014 | Chitu | Martin Garcia | Bob Baffert | Tanma Corporation | 1$^1$⁄$_8$ miles | 1:47.88 |
| 2013 | Govenor Charlie | Martin Garcia | Bob Baffert | Michael E. Pegram | 1$^1$⁄$_8$ miles | 1:47.54 |
| 2012 | Daddy Nose Best | Julien Leparoux | Steven M. Asmussen | Cathy Zollars & Robert Zollars | 1$^1$⁄$_8$ miles | 1:48.59 |
| 2011 | Twice the Appeal | Christian S. Reyes | Jeff Bonde | Edward J. Brown Jr., Victor Flores & Henry Hernandez | 1$^1$⁄$_8$ miles | 1:50.91 |
| 2010 | Endorsement | Robby Albarado | Shannon Ritter | WinStar Farm | 1$^1$⁄$_8$ miles | 1:48.46 |
| 2009 | Kelly Leak | Mike E. Smith | Mike Machowsky | Blahut Racing, Dennis Avila & Dave Johnson | 1$^1$⁄$_8$ miles | 1:50.02 |
| 2008 | Liberty Bull | Gerard Melancon | Tom Amoss | Kenneth Maier | 1$^1$⁄$_8$ miles | 1:49.82 |
| 2007 | Song of Navarone | Victor Espinoza | Henry Dominguez | George E. Coleman | 1$^1$⁄$_8$ miles | 1:49.53 |
| 2006 | Wanna Runner | Victor Espinoza | Bob Baffert | Michael E. Pegram | 1$^1$⁄$_8$ miles | 1:48.88 |
| 2005 | Thor's Echo | Corey Nakatani | Doug O'Neill | Suarez Racing Stable | 1$^1$⁄$_8$ miles | 1:49.59 |
| 2004 | Hi Teck Man | Ricardo Jaime | Johnnie Nall | Hassel Spraberry & Bonnie Spraberry | 1$^1$⁄$_{16}$ miles | 1:43.20 |
| 2003 | Excessivepleasure | Pat Day | Doug O'Neill | Lee Leatherman & Ty Leatherman | 1$^1$⁄$_{16}$ miles | 1:42.84 |