Sunland Park Picks: Sunland Park Derby-Kentucky Derby Prep

The Sunland Park Derby has been a sneaky Kentucky Derby prep race. Firing Line used the race in 2015 to earn a spot alongside American Pharoah. He finished 2nd in the Run for the Roses. Check out our Sunland Park picks for the Sunland Derby card.

Full Card Analysis

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Sunland Park Picks- Race 1

Post: 12:25 PM MT; $11.5k Claiming going 5 1/2 f on dirt; Entries: 6

• #3 KING BARON (2-1): Gets the top selection. Proven to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #1 INDIAN NIGHTS (12-1): A price horse and a major player. Likely to be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late. Runs evenly and will get a very fair pace scenario.
• #5 SPEND AGAIN (10-1): A price horse and a major player. The class of the field, runs evenly, and will get a very fair pace scenario.
• #6 I AM THE JUAN (9-2): Will be competitive. Has been running against decent company, runs evenly, and will get a very fair pace scenario.

Selections: 3 – 1 – 5 – 6

Sunland Park Picks- Race 2

Post: 12:51 PM MT; $17.5k Claiming going 6 f on dirt; Entries: 6

• #1 BYE BYE BROOKY (4-1): Gets the top selection. Shouldn’t have trouble with the distance.
• #3 I WIN LIKA GIRL (7-2): Will be competitive. Runs really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race.
• #6 TURN ON ARCH (5-2): Has a shot in this race. Runs races good enough to beat this group and has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #2 OUR SOARING ANGEL (4-1): A fringe contender. Makes sense on speed figures and has tactical speed to sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.

Selections: 1 – 3 – 6 – 2

Sunland Park Picks- Race 3

Post: 1:18 PM MT; $100k Red Hedeman Mile S. going 1 m on dirt; Entries: 6

• #1 COMMUNITY LEADER (8-5): Gets the top selection. Will run for the combination of Fincher and Valdez. Runs races good enough to beat this group.
• #2 MARKING CANYON (2-1): Isn’t without hope. Will be rolling late and has a good closing kick. Likely to get the right setup in this race.
• #5 HOLY BULLET (8-1): Seems to be running for the minor placings in this contest. Will likely get the right setup in this race.
• #3 HORNS N HALOS (4-1): Seems to be running for the minor placings. Proven to handle these conditions in previous starts.

Selections: 1 – 2 – 5 – 3

Sunland Park Picks- Race 4

Post: 1:45 PM MT; $51.8k Allowance going 1 m on dirt; Entries: 6

• #5 I’MAGAMBLER (5-2): Gets the top selection. Goes out for the Valdez-Cabral barn and gets Amparan in the irons. Has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #6 ALL CHROME (2-1): A major player. Has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #3 COMET CAUSEY (7-2): A major player. Shouldn’t have trouble with the distance and has been really solid in recent starts.
• #2 MCTHANKS (9-2): Has a shot in this race. Been running against decent company.

Selections: 5 – 6 – 3 – 2

Sunland Park Picks- Race 5

Post: 2:13 PM MT; $100k Harry Henson H. going 1 m on dirt; Entries: 6

• #6 FLYING CONNECTION (4-5): Gets the top selection. Has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #1 LOVE TANK (4-1): Probably best to put underneath on most tickets. Makes sense on speed figures and may benefit from a hot pace up front.
• #3 CITYONTHENILE (6-1): Probably best to put underneath on most tickets. Makes sense on speed figures and will likely be part of the early pace.
• #2 LOANA (10-1): A price horse. Probably best to put underneath on most tickets and may benefit from a hot pace up front.

Selections: 6 – 1 – 3 – 2

Sunland Park Picks- Race 6

Post: 2:43 PM MT; $100k Bill Thomas Memorial S. going 6 1/2 f on dirt; Entries: 6

• #1 JAXON TRAVELER (2-1): Gets the top selection. Makes sense on speed figures and is the class of the field.
• #3 MINE THAT STAR (3-1): Will be competitive. Makes sense on speed figures and has been running against decent company.
• #2 PERFECT DUDE (9-2): Will be competitive. Has been running against decent company and is a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #5 LOCO LUNA (9-2): Probably best to put underneath on most tickets. Proven to handle these conditions in previous starts.

Selections: 1 – 3 – 2 – 5

Sunland Park Picks- Race 7

Post: 3:13 PM MT; $250k Sunland Park Oaks going 1 m on dirt; Entries: 6

• #1 CANDY AISLE (2-1): Gets the top selection. Is the class of the field. Should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well-timed run at the leaders.
• #2 SIMPLY ENCHANTING (7-2): Should improve off the first start and will be competitive. Runs really consistent pace figures and has races good enough to beat this group.
• #3 FLOATING BEAUTY (8-1): A fringe contender. Runs really consistent pace figures and should work well in a moderately paced race.
• #5 RECHARGE (5-2): Probably best to put underneath on most tickets. Runs evenly and will get a very fair pace scenario.

Selections: 1 – 2 – 3 – 5

Sunland Park Picks- Race 8

Post: 3:44 PM MT; $100k Enchantress S. going 1 m on dirt; Entries: 8

• #4 PAYINGOFFMYMARKER (9-5): Gets the top selection. Shouldn’t have trouble with the distance. Runs races good enough to beat this group. Bet today’s best Best Bet at BetUS.
• #8 MARK THE WINNER (2-1): A fringe contender. Makes sense on speed figures and has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #5 MAKE UP A STORY (4-1): Isn’t without hope. Will run for the combination of Fincher and Valdez. Has been running against decent company.
• #2 STREET MARK (10-1): A price horse. Seems to be running for the minor placings in this contest. Is the class of the field and comes into the race in really good form.

Selections: 4 – 8 – 5 – 2

Sunland Park Picks- Race 9

Post: 4:17 PM MT; $400k Sunland Park Derby going 1 1/16 m on dirt; Entries: 8

• #5 STRONGHOLD (5-2): Gets the top selection. Has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip. Runs races good enough to beat this group.
• #4 LUCKY JEREMY (4-1): Will be competitive. also has tactical speed and should trip out. Goes out for the Morey barn and gets Ramos in the irons.
• #8 INFORMED PATRIOT (3-1): Probably best to put underneath on most tickets. Shouldn’t have trouble with the distance.
• #6 ALOTALUCK (6-1): Seems to be running for the minor placings in this contest. Goes out for the Garrett barn and gets Ceballos in the irons.

Selections: 5 – 4 – 8 – 6

Sunland Park Picks- Race 10

Post: 4:50 PM MT; $42.1k Allowance going 6 1/2 f on dirt; Entries: 9

• #2 JED (7-2): Gets the top selection. Shouldn’t have trouble with the distance. Has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #9 FLAGS FINALE (3-1): A major player. Runs really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race. Makes sense on speed figures.
• #7 PLAYTHEMARKER (5-1): Will be competitive. Projects to sit mid-pack and come with one run. Runs races good enough to beat this group.
• #5 JEEPS STRIDE (10-1): A price horse. Probably best to put underneath on most tickets. Runs really consistent pace figures and has been running against decent company.

Selections: 2 – 9 – 7 – 5

Betting News Horse Racing Coverage

Betting News provides AI generated handicapping tools for all of the major tracks around the country each and every day.

In addition, Betting News will continue to provide in depth analysis of select racing cards throughout the week.

Saturday

• Fair Grounds picks featuring the Grade 2 Risen Star*
• Gulfstream Park picks featuring the Grade 3 Royal Delta Stakes
• Laurel Park picks featuring the Grade 3 Barbara Fritchie
• Oaklawn Park picks featuring the Dixie Belle Stakes

Sunday

•  Sunland Park Picks featuring the Grade 3 Sunland Park Derby*

Monday

• Santa Anita picks featuring the Tiznow Stakes

*Denotes Kentucky Derby/Oaks Prep

Kentucky Derby Future Prop

Bet on your favorite horse to win the 2024 Kentucky Derby today. Also, check out our analysis of the top of the market in the Derby futures wagers. Bet the Kentucky Derby future pool on Bovada.

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