EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The biggest day for horse racing in the El Paso-Las Cruces-Juarez region is here.
Sunday, Feb. 16 is the day of the 20th running of the $400,000 Sunland Derby at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino. There is also a full card of stakes races starting at 12:25 p.m.
The winner of the Sunland Derby — a 1 1/16-mile race — will get 20 qualifying points for entry into the Kentucky Derby.
There will be more than $1 million in purses up for grabs during Sunland Derby Day.
The $250,000 Sunland Park Oaks, as well as the $100,000 Bill Thomas Memorial Stakes, the $100,000 Harry W. Henson Handicap, the $100,000 Enchantress Stakes and the $100,000 Red Hedeman Mile, are also part of Sunland Park’s biggest day of racing.
Getaway Car is the 9-5 favorite among the Sunland Derby contenders, followed by Touchy (7-2), McKinzie Street (4-1), Caldera (5-1) and Take Charge Tom (8-1), according to CBS Sports.
Last year, 15,446 fans came out to watch the Sunland Derby’s 10-race card. Stronghold, a 6-5 favorite, won the headline race last year.
We will update this story as we get more information.
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