The Sunland Derby is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Sunland Park Racetrack in Sunland Park, New Mexico. Inaugurated in 2003, the race is open to three-year-olds willing to race one and one-eighth miles on the dirt and is sponsored by WinStar Farm of Versailles, Kentucky. Held in March, the Sunland Derby currently offers a purse of $800,000. In its 11th year in 2013, it received Grade III status from the American Graded Stakes Committee for the first time in 2010. It is listed as an official Kentucky Derby prep race. The 2016 running of the Sunland Derby was cancelled due to an outbreak of Equine herpesvirus 1. Records Speed record: 1:46.94 - Cutting Humor (2019) (at current distance of 9 furlongs) 1:42.84 - Excessivepleasure (2003) (at former distance of 8.5 furlongs) Most wins by a jockey: 2 - Victor Espinoza (2006, 2007) 2 - Martin Garcia (2013, 2014) Most wins by a trainer: 3 - Bob Baffert (2006, 2013, 2014) 3 - Doug O'Neill (2003, 2005, 2022) Most wins by an owner: 2 - Michael E. Pegram (2006, 2013) Winners See also Road to the Kentucky Derby References The 2009 Sunland Derby at the NTRA 2003 establishments in New Mexico Horse races in New Mexico Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino Flat horse races for three-year-olds Triple Crown Prep Races Graded stakes races in the United States Grade 3 stakes races in the United States Recurring events established in 2003 Sports in New Mexico