The Sunland Derby

New Mexico’s Sunland Park hosts the important prep race for the Kentucky Derby. The Sunland Derby runs on the hot desert dirt main track. The race does not have a long history, it was first run in 2003. Sunland Park may not have a long storied past, but Churchill Downs, the location of the Kentucky Derby, sure does. Many qualifying spots are on the line as the top finishers can earn points toward a coveted spot in the Kentucky Derby.

As a result it is no surprise many great trainers have won here. Bob Baffert has won the race three times, In 2016 the race was canceled but returned in 2017 with a vengeance.

The race runs March 24th, 2019.

Sunland Park

Sunland Park is a small track in New Mexico. Luckily it gets some decent crowds because of the Casino and the nice dry weather.

Quality of Facility
3.1/5
Location Rating
3.6/5
Audience
3.8/5

Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino is the home of the Mine that Bird Derby and the Sunland Derby. These are two important Derby Prep Races. Besides these two races there is not that many big time races at this track. 

Sunland Derby

Located just outside of Miami, Florida, visitors can take part in all kinds of activities in addition to the great horse racing. That is why we gave Gulfstream Park a 5 star rating for location.