Sunland Derby (GIII)

Sunland Derby Race History

The Sunland Derby (G3) was inaugurated in 2003 and is best known for producing Mine That Bird, who parlayed a fourth-place finish at Sunland into a 50-1 upset in the Kentucky Derby (G1).

Two other notable winners through the years have been Thor’s Efcho, who followed up his 2005 victory into a champion sprinter title the following year, and 2015 scorer Firing Line, who later finished second in the Kentucky Derby to eventual Triple Crown winner American Pharoah.

Held for much of its history in late March over 1 1/8 miles, the Sunland Derby was rescheduled for mid-February and its distance reduced to 1 1/16 miles in 2024. Previously awarding 50 Derby qualifying points to the winner, its top five finishers now vie for a Derby points distribution of 20-10-6-4-2.

By J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com