3/29 (SUN): Sunland Derby/Oaks
 

10th (4:47) Sunland Park Oaks

1 1/16 Miles | Fillies | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $200,000

1 Hudler Nakatani C S 122 L
2 Gabby's Golden Gal Espinoza V 122 L
3 One for Jim Velazquez J R 122 L
4 Oro Blanco Medellin A 122 L
5 Century Park Gomez G K 122 L
6 Mona Quita Contreras L 122 L



12th (5:45) Sunland Derby

1 1/8 Miles | Open | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $800,000

1 Valid Stripes Lanerie C J 122 L
2 Santamonicacanyon Flores D R 122 L
3 Advice Velazquez J R 122 Blk-On L
4 Dumar Contreras L 122 L
5 Mayor Marv Espinoza V 122 L
6 Scorewithcater Baze M C 122 L
7 Mythical Power Gomez G K 122 L
8 Kelly Leak Smith M E 122 L
9 Mine That Bird Lambert C T 122 L
10 Infernal Villa M A 122 L
11 Mark S the Cooler Nakatani C S 122 L
12 Smokin' Legend Espitia J 122 L

Not that it's a world-beating field, but isn't it about time that Sunland Derby gets some sort of graded status?

No

they aren't in Ny, KY, Fla, or Ca so it's doubtful. That Thors echo sure never proved to be much of a runner after racing in that race. I think if they put forth 2 or 3 straight derby contenders it might finally get its grade.

I'd agree to making it graded if they dropped the purse to $15,000

The timing of this race puts them in a tough spot. If it were in January, for example, horses could win here and then compete in the remaining graded races on the trail.

In this case, their putting stock in the producing a graded stakes horse for down the road, which is tough, as the number of graded races for 3-year-olds is not as readily available, and softer spots as findable. And any fairly legitimate 3-year-old at this point is thinking graded earnings for the Derby.

I would move the race to January for a few years, grab a horse who two who starts hitting the board at Oaklawn or the Fair Grounds, and maybe even California, and then move it back to now once it has a grade.

It obvisouly worked for Delta Downs

Apples/oranges. At the end of the 2-year-old season you can get away with it because of a light schedule after Thanksgiving weekend. At the end of March in 3-year-old season it's a whole different animal.