Kentucky Derby Prep Races: Sunland Park Derby

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Sunland Park Derby 2025: “Getaway Car” Leads the Way

Here’s a detailed preview of the Sunland Park Derby (G3), a key stop on the Kentucky Derby prep races, where promising 3-year-olds will compete for valuable qualifying points toward the first Saturday in May.

Baffert’s Getaway Car Headlines Competitive Sunland Park Derby Field

The Sunland Park Derby, set for Feb. 16, offers a purse of $400,000 and will be run at 1 1/16 miles. The race serves as one of the Kentucky Derby Prep Races, awarding 20-10-6-4-2 points to the top five finishers. Nine contenders will battle for a spot on the leaderboard and a potential place in the Kentucky Derby betting conversation.

Baffert’s “Getaway Car” On the Spot

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has won this race three times, though his last victory came with Chitu in 2014. This year, he sends Getaway Car, a talented son of Curlin, who enters as the 9-5 morning-line favorite. Owned by a powerhouse partnership that includes SF Racing, Starlight Racing, and Stonestreet Stables, the colt has already shown promise in graded company.

“Getaway Car “broke his maiden impressively before winning the Best Pal Stakes (G3) at Del Mar. However, he has struggled to match stablemates “Citizen Bull” and “Gaming”, finishing fourth behind them in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). Most recently, he set the pace in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) but was caught late by Journalism, finishing second. Now, with those top-tier rivals absent, he looks poised to shine.

“McKinzie Street” Makes His Barn Debut

Another strong contender is “McKinzie Street” (4-1), making his first start for trainer Justin Evans after moving from Tim Yakteen’s barn. Owned by Leslie Amestoy, Pierre Jean Amestoy Jr., and Roger Beasley, the son of McKinzie has previously placed in Grade 1 company, including a runner-up finish in his only two-turn effort.

Touchy Steps Up in Distance

A wildcard in the field is Three Chimneys Farm’s Touchy (7-2), trained by Wesley Ward. The colt ran fourth in the Saratoga Special Stakes (G2) last summer but has yet to go beyond 6 1/2 furlongs. He finished second in the Turfway Prevue Stakes on Jan. 4, and stretching out to 1 1/16 miles will be a significant test.

Local Contenders Look to Upset the Field

Trainer Robertino Diodoro sends two contenders to the gate, led by “Take Charge Tom” (8-1). Owned by Randy Howg, the son of Tom’s d’Etat is undefeated in three starts, including a victory in Sunland’s Riley Allison Derby, a key local prep.

Stablemate “Itsmybirthday” (20-1), meanwhile, comes off back-to-back wins at Turf Paradise, making his first step into a graded competition.

Sunland Park Oaks Features Promising Filly Maysam

Earlier on the card, the $250,000 Sunland Park Oaks will also distribute 20-10-6-4-2 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks. Baffert holds the 9-5 morning-line favorite with Maysam, owned by Michael Lund Petersen. She dominated her debut at Santa Anita Park by six lengths on Jan. 24 and looks like a strong candidate.

Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen sends out two fillies, Runnin N Gunnin and Enchanting, as he looks to win the race for the second consecutive year.

Be sure to follow all the action and check out the latest Kentucky Derby odds. For more betting insights, visit our racebook and place your bets on the road to Churchill Downs!