Sunland Park Derby Picks —Betting Preview and Predictions (Feb 15)

Action on the Road to the Kentucky Derby continues this weekend, with notable preps staged across the U.S. The Sunland Park Derby is yet to produce a winner of the opening leg of the Triple Crown since Mine That Bird’s fourth in the race before later stunning the world to land the honors at Churchill Downs. Find the odds and our Sunland Park Derby picks here.

Odds

Sunland Park Derby Recent Winners

Sunland Park Derby: Event Information

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Race Preview

The Listed Sunland Park Derby is one of the most notable races on the schedule in New Mexico annually. This race has thrown up some talented performers in recent years, including Mine That Bird, who shocked the world to win the Kentucky Derby in 2009.

It remains to be seen whether there is anything of that quality in this year’s edition, but it looks like a competitive race nevertheless. Express Kid looks like a solid favorite for Justin Evans, with Juan Hernandez taking the ride. The three-year-old won three from five starts as a juvenile last year, including a notable win in the Remington Springboard Mile, scoring an Equibase speed figure of 96.

Bricklin looks like a very progressive contender from the Rodolphe Brisset yard. The three-year-old was an impressive winner of an allowance optional claimer at Oaklawn Park in early January, recording a speed figure of 110. However, he was well beaten on his last attempt over 1 1/16 miles when sixth in the G3 Street Sense.

Daneyko will also be a popular selection this weekend. The three-year-old has improved based on ratings with every start for trainer Edward Kereluk. He was last seen stepping up to a mile for the first time with an impressive win in the Riley Alison Derby at Sunland. Further improvement required, but based on his progression, that is likely.

Sunland Park Derby Picks

Despite finishing behind Daneyko in the Riley Alison Derby, this could be a perfect opportunity for Way Beyond to reverse the form. The Todd Pletcher runner looks perfectly bred for this distance, and should be capable of going one better than he did last time out with a clearer run.