Sunland Park 🏇🏾// Sun., Feb. 16, 2025
- Fink
- Feb 16
- 3 min read
Happy Sunland Derby Sunday & National Almond Day!
What a day of racing we had yesterday! Good Cheer secured a breezy victory in the Rachael Alexandra and looked fantastic, positioning herself as a strong contender for the Kentucky Oaks. Meanwhile, Magnitude pulled off a gate-to-wire upset in the Risen Star, which moved him up to second place in the Kentucky Derby standings, trailing only behind Citizen Bull. The question now is whether the 55 points Magnitude earned will be sufficient for him to secure a spot in the Derby, or if he will need additional points to get into the starting gate. We’ll find out as we follow the Derby and Oaks trail throughout the winter and into spring.
Today, we head to Sunland Park in New Mexico to watch the races at Sunland Park Racetrack. Although today’s races will offer fewer points than yesterday’s big event, a win in race seven could elevate one horse into the top 10 of the leaderboard, and even a placing could help another horse secure a top 20 position. In the Derby prep, one horse could climb to third place with a win today, as he has already accumulated 16 points.
Today’s card features 10 races in total, with half of them being stakes races, including the Oaks and Derby prep events. The weather looks favorable, with highs in the mid-60s and sunny skies. Sunland Park only has a dirt track, which should rate as fast today, so there’s no need to worry about turf conditions or rail distance.
Before we move on to the picks, let’s take a quick look at some historical notes about this often-overlooked track.
Over the years, the Sunland Derby has produced notable contenders, including 2009 winner Mine That Bird, who scored a stunning upset victory in the Kentucky Derby. Two other notable winners through the years have been Thor’s Echo, 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.
Need help pickin' winners? We've got you covered! Our Lundin Line's - (Always Free) top picks and best bets are below in this post. We use them to help narrow the field while putting our tickets together. The first post will be here soon, so don't be late -
It's time to get #InTheMoney! 💰🤑💰
Sunland Park 🏇🏾 // Sun., Feb. 16th, 2025
First Post @ 12:25 (MT) / 11:25 (PT)
R1: 6-4-7-5
R2: 11-6-9-1
R3: 6-2-3-8
R4: 10-3-4-9
R5Ⓢ: 3-5-4-1
R6Ⓢ: 2-5-8-7
🏇R7Ⓢ/OP: 4⭑-2-3-1
Mr. W: 4-2-5-1
Bill: 4-2-3-1
Mr. Fink: 4-2-3
R8Ⓢ: 1-7-3-10
🏇R9Ⓢ/DP: 4⭑-6-8-3
Mr. W: 4-6-9-1
Bill: 4-8-6-3
Mr. Fink: 4-6-3-9
R10: 4-8-7-2
⭑Best Bet(s)
R7: Maysam (#4)
R9: Getaway Car (#4)
Ⓢtakes Race(s)
R5: 100K Harry Henson H.
1 Mile on Dirt for Fillies & Mares 4 Yrs Old & Up
R6: 90K Red Headman Mile S.
1 Mile on Dirt for 3 Yr.. Olds, Reg NM
🏇R7: 250K Sunland Park Oaks
1 Miles on Dirt for Fillies 3 Yrs. Old
KY Oaks Prep: Pts = 20-10-6-4-2
R8: 90K Peppers Pride S.
1 Mile on Dirt for Fillies 3 Yrs. Old, Reg. NM
🏇R9: 400K Sunland Park Derby S.
1 1/16 Miles on Dirt for 3 Yr. Olds
KY Derby Prep: Pts = 20-10-6-4-2
🏇 = featured race(s)
Photo from our friends over at National Day Calendar
Hit us up @_TurtleSports, and let us know what you think! Oh, and don't forget to follow us @_TurtleSports and subscribe to our site so you don't miss any of the action. You'll be glad you did!
-TSL
/ As always, please forgive any typos and grammatical errors
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