Oops! Sunland Derby Local Story
Mar 24, 2013 0:13:57 GMT -5
Post by racinggal on Mar 24, 2013 0:13:57 GMT -5
It's great the race is covered by the local newspaper but fans hoping to go on Monday to see it are going to be out of luck!
Nine horses chase Sunland Derby victory Monday
By Felix Chávez / El Paso
SUNLAND PARK — In 10 previous runnings of the Sunland Derby, there have been some thrilling moments, including last year's exciting come-from-behind win by Daddy Nose Best.
Sunday should be no different.
With this competitive field of nine horses, it will be a battle for victory in the 11th running of the Grade III, $800,000 Sunland Derby at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino.
The winner earns 50 qualifying points towards a berth in the starting gate of the prestigious Kentucky Derby.
Shakin It Up, who was shipped in from California, is the 5-2 morning-line favorite and is one of two horses competing for nationally recognized trainer Bob Baffert. Shakin It Up won the San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita Racetrack last month in his last start.
"Shakin It Up ran really well in his last time out," Baffert said. "He has gotten better with each race and he's got a chance to do really well if he can relax. The extra distance will be a challenge for him."
Another Baffert horse competing is Govenor Charlie, who is listed at 6-1 in the morning line. He won at a mile in his last race and seems to like longer distances after finishing second in his first start at six furlongs.
"Govenor Charlie is an interesting horse and one who has been working really well," Baffert said. "He got better from his first start to his second start, and he's got a bright future."
Abraham was given second-favorite status at 4-1 at the post-position draw. Abraham, who is trained by
Todd Pletcher, won his last race at Gulfstream Park in Miami at one-and-1/16th mile.
A pair of area trainers, Joel Marr and Henry Dominguez have a real opportunity to win the Sunland Derby. Marr's horse is Dry Summer, who is listed at 5-1 in the morning-line odds and already owns a pair of wins at Sunland Park, including last month's Mine That Bird Derby.
"Dry Summer has been training really well and is ready for this race," Marr said. "We're really excited to see how he fares against some really good horses that are shipping in and some really good horses who have raced here already."
Dominguez will send Show Some Magic, who was given 8-1 morning line odds, to the starting gate. Show Some Magic, who is owned by El Pasoan Kirk Robison, has raced three times at Sunland Park and has finished first, second and third. He finished second in the Mine That Bird Derby.
"Show Some Magic is an experienced horse and he's been competitive," Dominguez said. "In the Mine That Bird Derby, the pace was really slow. Hopefully, the pace will be different this time. But, it's a great field of horses, and whoever wins the race, it will be well earned."
Other horses in the race are Just Win Baby (10-1), Stormdriver (12-1), Saint Prado (8-1) and Mudflats (6-1).
Saint Prado is trained by Jeff Bonde, who won the Sunland Derby two years ago. Mudflats is trained by last year's Kentucky Derby winning trainer, Doug O'Neill. Mudflats has run in two graded stakes races already, but did not finish in the top three in either. But, O'Neill, who has won two Sunland Derby titles, said Mudflats could surprise some Sunday.
"Mudflats is running better," O'Neill said. "He has really come back with some good efforts in training since his last start.
"It's a talented field across the board."
www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-news/ci_22858823/nine-horses-chase-sunland-derby-victory-monday
Nine horses chase Sunland Derby victory Monday
By Felix Chávez / El Paso
SUNLAND PARK — In 10 previous runnings of the Sunland Derby, there have been some thrilling moments, including last year's exciting come-from-behind win by Daddy Nose Best.
Sunday should be no different.
With this competitive field of nine horses, it will be a battle for victory in the 11th running of the Grade III, $800,000 Sunland Derby at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino.
The winner earns 50 qualifying points towards a berth in the starting gate of the prestigious Kentucky Derby.
Shakin It Up, who was shipped in from California, is the 5-2 morning-line favorite and is one of two horses competing for nationally recognized trainer Bob Baffert. Shakin It Up won the San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita Racetrack last month in his last start.
"Shakin It Up ran really well in his last time out," Baffert said. "He has gotten better with each race and he's got a chance to do really well if he can relax. The extra distance will be a challenge for him."
Another Baffert horse competing is Govenor Charlie, who is listed at 6-1 in the morning line. He won at a mile in his last race and seems to like longer distances after finishing second in his first start at six furlongs.
"Govenor Charlie is an interesting horse and one who has been working really well," Baffert said. "He got better from his first start to his second start, and he's got a bright future."
Abraham was given second-favorite status at 4-1 at the post-position draw. Abraham, who is trained by
Todd Pletcher, won his last race at Gulfstream Park in Miami at one-and-1/16th mile.
A pair of area trainers, Joel Marr and Henry Dominguez have a real opportunity to win the Sunland Derby. Marr's horse is Dry Summer, who is listed at 5-1 in the morning-line odds and already owns a pair of wins at Sunland Park, including last month's Mine That Bird Derby.
"Dry Summer has been training really well and is ready for this race," Marr said. "We're really excited to see how he fares against some really good horses that are shipping in and some really good horses who have raced here already."
Dominguez will send Show Some Magic, who was given 8-1 morning line odds, to the starting gate. Show Some Magic, who is owned by El Pasoan Kirk Robison, has raced three times at Sunland Park and has finished first, second and third. He finished second in the Mine That Bird Derby.
"Show Some Magic is an experienced horse and he's been competitive," Dominguez said. "In the Mine That Bird Derby, the pace was really slow. Hopefully, the pace will be different this time. But, it's a great field of horses, and whoever wins the race, it will be well earned."
Other horses in the race are Just Win Baby (10-1), Stormdriver (12-1), Saint Prado (8-1) and Mudflats (6-1).
Saint Prado is trained by Jeff Bonde, who won the Sunland Derby two years ago. Mudflats is trained by last year's Kentucky Derby winning trainer, Doug O'Neill. Mudflats has run in two graded stakes races already, but did not finish in the top three in either. But, O'Neill, who has won two Sunland Derby titles, said Mudflats could surprise some Sunday.
"Mudflats is running better," O'Neill said. "He has really come back with some good efforts in training since his last start.
"It's a talented field across the board."
www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-news/ci_22858823/nine-horses-chase-sunland-derby-victory-monday
