Study Guide: 2024 Sunland Park Derby
Feb 14, 2024
Stronghold breaking his maiden at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
For much of its history, the $400,000 Sunland Park Derby (G3) at Sunland Park has been held in late March over a distance of 1 1/8 miles. But for 2024, the race has been moved to mid-February—this coming Sunday—and shortened to 1 1/16 miles.
As part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby, the Sunland Park Derby awards Kentucky Derby (G1) qualification points on a 20-10-6-4-2 basis to the top five finishers. Let’s meet the 2024 field:
No Trouble
Start(s): 2
Wins: 1
Place: 1
Show: 0
Owner: Jim Volk
Breeder: Hill ‘n’ Dale Syndicated Stallions and Sheltowee Farm
Trainer: Joel Marr
Jockey: Ken Tohill
Top Speed Rating: (76) when breaking his maiden at Sunland Park.
Total Earnings: $25,800
Sire: World of Trouble
Dam: Philadelphia Gold
Color: Bay
No Trouble graduated by three lengths in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight at Sunland last month, but previously finished behind Sunland Park Derby rival Alotaluck when debuting at Zia Park. With a career-best 76 Brisnet Speed rating, No Trouble needs improvement to challenge in his stakes and route debut.
Surroundedbyangels
Start(s): 2
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 1
Owner: Jeremy Ramsland
Breeder: Willow Tree Farm and G. W. Thomas
Trainer: Bart Hone
Jockey: Alejandro Medellin
Top Speed Rating: (77) when winning his debut at Sunland Park.
Total Earnings: $26,800
Sire: Smiling Tiger
Dam: Angel of Battle
Color: Gray/roan
Surroundedbyangels won his debut sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs at Sunland by 3 1/2 lengths, but tired when stretching out for the one-mile Riley Allison Derby, finishing third by 13 1/4 lengths. It’s possible Surroundedbyangels is best over sprint distances.
Curlin’s Kaos
Curlin's Kaos (Photo by Benoit Photography)
Start(s): 4
Wins: 1
Place: 1
Show: 2
Owner: Zephyr Racing and Alfred Pais
Breeder: James Shenouda and Alfred Pais
Trainer: Antonio Garcia
Jockey: Diego Herrera
Top Speed Rating: (86) when breaking his maiden at Santa Anita.
Total Earnings: $63,120
Sire: Clubhouse Ride
Dam: It’s Vengeance
Color: Chestnut
Curlin’s Kaos hasn’t finished out of the top three in a quartet of starts on the Southern California circuit, most recently rallying to win a one-mile turf maiden special weight against California-breds by two lengths. The competition gets deeper in the Sunland Park Derby, but Curlin’s Kaos is progressing in the right direction and has run well on dirt in the past. A top-five finish isn’t out of the question.
Lucky Jeremy
Lucky Jeremy (Photo by Coady Photography)
Start(s): 3
Wins: 2
Place: 0
Show: 0
Owner: Jeremy Ramsland
Breeder: Mr. and Mrs. Craig L. Minten
Trainer: William Morey
Jockey: Christian Ramos
Top Speed Rating: (92) when breaking his maiden at Churchill Downs.
Total Earnings: $115,080
Sire: Lookin At Lucky
Dam: Powder N Blush
Color: Bay
Lucky Jeremy wired a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight at Churchill Downs, then shipped to Sunland Park and won the Riley Allison Derby by two lengths. Brisnet Speed ratings of 92 and 89 stamp Lucky Jeremy as a top-three contender while joining the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Stronghold
Stronghold breaking his maiden at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
Start(s): 4
Wins: 1
Place: 3
Show: 0
Owner: Eric M. Waller and Sharon Waller
Breeder: Eric Waller and Sharon Waller
Trainer: Philip D’Amato
Jockey: Antonio Fresu
Top Speed Rating: (99) when finishing second in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) at Los Alamitos.
Total Earnings: $144,400
Sire: Ghostzapper
Dam: Spectactor
Color: Bay
Stronghold has run well twice against graded stakes competition in Southern California, finishing second in the Bob Hope (G3) behind the undefeated Nysos and second again (beaten only half a length) in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. The latter effort yielded a 99 Brisnet Speed rating, easily the highest number in the Sunland Park Derby field, so Stronghold has to be ranked as the horse to beat.
Alotaluck
Start(s): 2
Wins: 1
Place: 1
Show: 0
Owner: Eleanor J. Martin
Breeder: Colinda Dawn
Trainer: Ty Garrett
Jockey: Oscar Ceballos
Top Speed Rating: (87) when finishing second in the Riley Allison Derby at Sunland Park.
Total Earnings: $47,000
Sire: Sir Prancealot
Dam: Colinda Dawn
Color: Dark bay/brown
After beating No Trouble by 2 1/2 lengths in a six-furlong maiden special weight at Zia Park, Alotaluck stretched out for the one-mile Riley Allison Derby and employed dueling tactics to finish second by two lengths against Lucky Jeremy. He’ll need improvement to turn the tables on Sunday, but a top-five finish is surely within reach.
Da Ringo
Start(s): 7
Wins: 1
Place: 2
Show: 1
Owner: Cecil Peters
Breeder: WinStar Farm
Trainer: Jose Gonzalez Jr.
Jockey: Alfredo Juarez Jr.
Top Speed Rating: (67) when breaking his maiden at Remington Park.
Total Earnings: $21,918
Sire: Union Rags
Dam: Please Explain
Color: Bay
Da Ringo is the most experienced Sunland Park Derby entrant with seven starts under his belt. He’s finished in the top three on four occasions, but scored his lone victory in a $7,500 maiden claimer and exits a fourth-place finish in the Riley Allison Derby. He’ll need a step forward to factor on Sunday.
Informed Patriot
Informed Patriot (Photo by Coady Photography)
Start(s): 5
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 3
Owner: J. Kirk and Judy Robison
Breeder: Gainesway Thoroughbreds and Whisper Hill Farm
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Top Speed Rating: (88) when finishing third in the Street Sense (G3) at Churchill Downs.
Total Earnings: $135,000
Sire: Hard Spun
Dam: Yawkey Way
Color: Dark bay/brown
Informed Patriot has already started twice on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, finishing third in the Street Sense (G3) at Churchill Downs and third in the Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn Park. He’s earned Brisnet Speed ratings in the 80-88 range in all five of his starts, so the numbers suggest Informed Patriot has a shot to finish in the top three again while shipping to Sunland.
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