The $500,000 Sunland Park Derby may have lost its graded status for 2026, but its impact on the Road to the Kentucky Derby remains intact.
The 1 1/16-mile test for 3-year-olds on Sunday awards 20-10-6-4-2 qualifying points to the top five finishers toward the 2026 Run for the Roses. First post for Race 9 at Sunland Park is 6:17 p.m. ET, headlining a stakes-filled program worth $1 million in purses.
First run in 2003, the Sunland Park Derby has produced its share of Kentucky Derby storylines. Mine That Bird finished fourth here before his stunning 50-1 victory in the 2009 Kentucky Derby. Firing Line won at Sunland before finishing second to American Pharoah at Churchill Downs.
This year’s renewal drew a competitive field of eight.
Express Kid (3-1) brings intrigue and upside. The Springboard Mile winner at Remington Park was purchased for $800,000 in Fasig-Tipton’s January digital flash sale and makes his first start for trainer Justin Evans. The son of Bodexpress overcame post 11 in his 6 ¼-length breakout victory and now draws the rail.
Juan Hernandez, who won this race last year, takes the call.
Pavlovian (8-1) gives trainer Doug O’Neill a chance at a record-tying fourth Sunland Park Derby victory. The Cal-bred was third in the Cal Cup Derby and previously finished second in the Best Pal Stakes (G3) at Del Mar. Blinkers go back on as he ships for the first time.
Way Beyond (4-1) exits a nose loss in the local Riley Allison Derby for Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, who won this race in 2012 and 2017. He’ll meet that race’s winner, Daneyko (9-2), again. Daneyko rallied late to score in his Sunland debut and retains the leading rider Alfredo Juarez Jr.
Bricklin (7-2) was scratched from the Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn to target this spot. The Nyquist colt has won two of his last three for Rodolphe Brisset but was sixth in his only prior stakes attempt.
Forty Twenty (6-1) exits a 12-length maiden romp at Turf Paradise but faces a steep class hike in just his third lifetime start.
Sharons Beach (10-1) stretches out for the first time with Hall of Famer John Velazquez aboard, while New York shipper Buntus Foclora (12-1) seeks his first win in stakes company.
Despite the loss of graded status, the Sunland Derby still offers an important stepping stone — and for one of these 3-year-olds, perhaps a launch pad toward Churchill Downs.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
