Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino
Thursday, December 3, 2009
By Eric Alwan
$800,000 Sunland
Derby attains Grade 3 status
The $800,000 Sunland Derby has achieved Grade 3 status following an announcement
made today by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners
and Breeders Association in Lexington, Kentucky.
The news is certain to have mighty implications for the future success of
Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino’s signature event. The graded status of the
Sunland Derby adds a seal of approval among Thoroughbred racing’s elite. The
Grade 3 also insures the $800,000 purse of the Kentucky Derby dirt prep race to
be run on Sunday, March 28, 2010. The eighth running of the Sunland Derby at 1
and 1/8 miles ranks as one of the nation’s richest Kentucky Derby prep races.
The 2010 Sunland Derby winner is virtually assured a berth in the Kentucky
Derby. The Kentucky Derby field is limited to 20 starters each year with most
graded career earnings.
With a highly attractive purse and a Grade 3, the 2010 Sunland Derby should have
plenty of drawing power. The winner’s take is an impressive $400,000. The
runner-up receives a check worth $176,000.
The American Graded Stakes committee reviewed 723 unrestricted U.S. stakes races
worth at least $75,000, and assigned graded status to 487 races, two less than
in 2009. The Sunland Derby was one of six races upgraded to a Grade 3 for 2010.
The Breeders’ Cup Marathon and the Iowa Derby were also upgraded stakes events.
Former Sunland Park runner Mine That Bird exploded on the national scene by
winning the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby and placing in both the Grade 1 Preakness and
Grade 1 Belmont Stakes. The courageous son of Birdstone finished fourth behind
Kelly Leak in the 2009 Sunland Derby. He is trained by local conditioner Chip
Woolley and owned by the Double Eagle Ranch and Buena Suerte Equine.
The 51st live racing season at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino gets started on
Friday, Dec. 11.