Although the $100,000 Mine That Bird Derby on February 27 is worth nothing on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, the 3-year-old 1/16-mile race is a local stepping stone to the Sunland Park Derby $500,000 March 27, worth 50 points for the winner towards a spot in the starting gate on the first Saturday in May.
Mine That Bird Derby, named after the forger who upset the Kentucky race in 2009 presented by Yum! Brands (G1) with a 50-1 scoreline after placing fourth in the Sunland Derby, drew a field of eight sophomores for Sunday’s race. A bunch of invaders will bring local hope Pepper spray , Bye Bye Bobby and Benissimo who finished 1-2-3 of Sunland ParkRiley Allison’s Derby on January 30.
Leading the assault on Sunland is Jungle Racing’s Straight up WOOD . Callai’s son Straight fire won two against the state-bred company, including in the King Glorious Stakes on December 12 at Los Alamitos . Racecoursebefore being disappointed because Quick Drawing Munnings after hitting the pace early in the January 15 California Derby Cup at Santa Anita . Park. Coached by Richard Baltas, Straight Up G prepared for the Mine That Bird Derby with a thrilling five-match stretch on February 18 in Santa Anita in: 59 2/5.
Starting out first outside of California, regular rider Ricardo Gonzalez flies into town to ride ponies.
Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen also brought two into town, 1st ranked American Xperiment and Classic moment .
Item: Mine That Bird Derby
Sunland ParkSunday, February 27, 2022, Race No. 9
- STK
- 1 1/16m
- Dust
- 100,000 dollars
- 3 yo
- 3:59 pm (local)
