The Sunland Derby is a non-graded horse race held annually at Sunland Park Racetrack in Sunland Park, New Mexico.
The race is open to three-year-olds and is a major stepping stone for horses on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. It is contested over a distance of 1 1/16 miles on dirt.
The 2026 Sunland Derby is scheduled for February 15. It is a key race on the U.S. Triple Crown trail, often influencing which horses will earn a spot in the Kentucky Derby lineup.
Several notable horses have won the Sunland Derby, including Thor's Echo (2005), who went on to win the Breeders' Cup Sprint in 2006. Another notable winner is Wanna Runner (2006), trained by the legendary Bob Baffert, a major figure in U.S. horse racing. Song of Navarone (2007) and Kelly Leak (2009) are also memorable names from earlier editions. In more recent years, winners like Cutting Humor (2019) and Runaway Ghost (2018) have kept the race's reputation strong.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Pavlovian | Edwin A. Maldonado | Doug F. O'Neill | 1:42.22 |
| 2025 | Getaway Car | Juan J. Hernandez | Bob Baffert | 1:42.64 |
| 2024 | Stronghold | Antonio Fresu | Philip D'Amato | 1:42.64 |
| 2023 | Wild On Ice | Ken S. Tohill | Joel H. Marr | 1:51.39 |
| 2022 | Slow Down Andy | Mario Gutierrez | Doug F. O'Neill | 1:50.16 |
| 2021 | The race was not held this year | |||
| 2020 | The race was not held this year | |||
The Sunland Derby is a pivotal event for online horse betting enthusiasts, as it offers high-stakes wagering opportunities. With the race serving as a qualifier for the Kentucky Derby, bettors closely follow the performances of rising stars in the three-year-old division. The event's growing reputation as a must-watch race makes it a popular choice for bettors looking to place their bets early on the Triple Crown trail.
