The son of FDD Dynasty won five times from seven starts that year and earned more than $765,000 in the process. “We could see bigger field sizes in both the thoroughbred and quarter horses races that we’ve had in years.”ĭanjer capped off an incredible 2022 campaign with his win in the Championship during the most recent season of racing at Sunland Park. “It could be one of the best editions of the championship races we’ve had in some time,” said Sunland Park track announcer and marketing director Eric Alwan. The meet will also feature some of the top quarter horses in America, with older shortliners set to reach the starting gate in the $350,000 Grade I Championship at Sunland Park, which will be run at the classic distance of 440 yards. The Todd Fincher-trained filly showed speed and wound up finishing sixth in the Kentucky Oaks. Last year, Flying Connection used her victory in the Sunland Park Oaks to springboard into the Kentucky Oaks. The program for the Sunland Derby also features the $250,000 Sunland Park Oaks, which will also award points toward a Kentucky Oaks berth at Churchill Downs. The winner of the Sunland Derby will be awarded 20 points, with the runner-up receiving 10 points. The 20 horses with the most points will earn a spot in the starting gate on the first Saturday in May. To earn a spot in the starting gate, horses must compete in designated races at tracks across the country and around the world. The $300,000 Grade New Mexican Spring Futurity at 300 yards is run in April.ĭistance from last turn to finish line: 950 feet.Two Rivers Over scores upset win in $300,000 Zia Park Derby For quarter horses, Sunland's top race is the $400,000 Grade 1 Championship, run late each December at 440 yards. Henson Breeders' Cup Handicap for fillies and mares at one mile the $150,000 Riley Allison Futurity, 6-1/2 furlongs for 2-year-olds the $100,000 Borderland Derby, a 1 1/16-mile prep for the WinStar and the $100,000 Sunland Park Handicap for 3-year-olds and up at 1-1/8 miles. Notable races include the $200,000 WinStar Sunland Park Oaks 1-1/16 miles for fillies the $150,000 Harry W.

All monies in the horseman's account contributes to horse racing purses at Sunland Park. Twenty six percent of casino revenue goes to taxes and additional twenty percent goes towards the horseman's account. In the 1990's, horse racing was in decline, so New Mexico allowed slot machines on racetracks to save the state's horse racing industry.

Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino opened its doors in 1959 as just a racetrack.

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