Stronghold favored in shortened Sunland Derby

Feb 13, 2024 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

The $400,000 Sunland Derby (G3) will have a slightly different look to it than in recent years when it is renewed on Sunday. The race has been brought forward on the calendar by roughly five weeks and has been shortened from 1 1/8 miles to its original distance of 1 1/16 miles.

The number of Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying points on offer has also been scaled back. The respective top five finishers will now vie for points of 20-10-6-4-2, though three of the eight entrants are not current Triple Crown nominees.

What hasn't changed is the presence of a leading contender from Southern California, with Stronghold fitting that bill this year for trainer Phil D'Amato. The Ghostzapper should enjoy the class relief, having finished second to Nysos in the Bob Hope (G3) and to Wynstock in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) in his final two starts last season.

Another shipper likely to attract support is Informed Patriot. The Steve Asmussen trainee has finished third in each of his past three starts, including the Street Sense (G3) and Smarty Jones S. He currently has six Kentucky Derby qualifying points.

Other contenders include Lucky Jeremy and Alotaluck, one-two in last month's Riley Allison Derby at Sunland over one mile.

D'Amato also has the likely filly to beat in the $250,000 Sunland Park Oaks in Simply Enchanting, a debut winner at Santa Anita who steps up from six furlongs to one mile on Sunday.

Candy Aisle, a three-time stakes winner at the New Mexico tracks, will also have her two-turn prowess tested for the first time. Dual winner Recharge and Floating Beauty, an invader from Louisiana, are other potential contenders.

The Sunland Park Oaks will offer similar Kentucky Oaks (G1) qualifying points of 20-10-6-4-2 to the respective top five finishers.

Post time for the Sunland Park Oaks is 5:13 p.m. ET, while the Sunland Derby will go off at 6:17 p.m. Both races can be watched and wagered on at TwinSpires.com.