Henry Q bids to follow up in Sunland Park Derby; Flying Connection soars into Oaks

Note that Fort Bragg, who would have been a contender in the Sunland Park Derby, will be scratched. According to Daily Racing Form’s Mike Welsch, the Tim Yakteen trainee is bound instead for the April 1 Florida Derby (G1).

Here are four talking points for the Sunland Park action:

1. Henry Q romped in the local prep for the Sunland Park Derby.

Switched from Doug O’Neill’s barn at Santa Anita to Todd Fincher at Sunland, Henry Q dominated in his first start over the track in the Feb. 28 Mine That Bird Derby. The son of champion Blame went straight to the front and widened his margin to 14 lengths at the wire. Moreover, he recorded a field-best 101 Brisnet Speed rating.

Henry Q will encounter a few new rivals who will be able to go with him early on Sunday. But his affinity for this surface makes him dangerous, and his pedigree is well suited for the step up to 1 1/8 miles. 

2. Hard to Figure comes off a near-miss in the Robert B. Lewis (G3).

Southern California shipper Hard to Figure rates as the 2-1 favorite on the morning line. The Bob Baffert trainee brings the strongest form, beaten just a neck by Newgate in the Robert B. Lewis (G3) at Santa Anita. He’s not eligible for Derby points, since Baffert is suspended by Churchill Downs Inc., but Hard to Figure is easy to tab as a prime player in the race. 

The top two from the Jan. 29 Riley Allison Derby at Sunland, One in Vermillion and How Did He Do That, renew rivalry over an extra furlong. Although Turf Paradise-based One in Vermillion carried his speed effectively going a mile that day, he will have to withstand more pace pressure here. Henry Q and Hard to Figure have tactical speed, as does Low Expectations, a son of 2016 Kentucky Derby (G1) hero Nyquist who’s won two straight at Santa Anita. 

The added distance likely helps How Did He Do That, a Good Magic colt who is out of a half-sister to 2005 Preakness (G1) and Belmont (G1) champion Afleet Alex. Trained by Steve Asmussen, How Did He Do That was previously fifth in the Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn Park.

4. Flying Connection is favored in the Sunland Park Oaks.

Henry Q’s stablemate, Flying Connection, is the one to beat in the 1 1/16-mile Sunland Park Oaks. Like her fellow Fincher trainee, Flying Connection drew off as much the best in the local prep, the Feb. 28 Island Fashion S. The Nyquist filly accordingly has been installed as the 9-5 morning-line favorite on Sunday.

Baffert will also pursue a Sunland double. His Oaks entrant, Doinitthehardway, finally broke her maiden by nine front-running lengths at Santa Anita. But the daughter of 2007 Kentucky Derby champ Street Sense has tried stakes before, finishing fourth in the Starlet (G1).