The Road to the 2025 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve makes a stop this weekend in New Mexico for the Sunland Park Derby. The 1 1/16-mile race Sunday at Sunland Park offers a total of 42 qualifying points on a 20-10-6-4-2 scale for the first jewel of the Triple Crown May 3 at Churchill Downs. Last year’s Sunland Park Derby winner, Stronghold, went on to win the Santa Anita Derby.

1. Itsmybirthday (20-1 morning-line odds): Vekoma colt from the family of leading sire Tapit stretches out in distance after back-to-back sprint victories at Turf Paradise. Has some early speed but does not appear to be a need-the-lead type. Doesn’t look overmatched while facing the best competition of his career.

JOCKEY: Harry Hernandez; TRAINER: Robertino Diodoro

2. Remember Big Jim (12-1): Plenty of speed in this race could set the table for this closer who always seems to be gaining late. Rallied from 14 lengths back to finish second by a length in the Riley Allison Derby at Sunland Jan. 17. Worth a long look at 12-1 on the morning line.

JOCKEY: Elvin Gonzalez; TRAINER: Dick Cappellucci

3. Smash It (12-1): Third as the odds-on favorite in the Riley Allison Futurity after running some fast races in Southern California as a 2-year-old and closing out 2024 with a stakes win at Zia Park. Addition of elite jockey Geroux is a plus, but his best races have been in sprints.

JOCKEY: Florent Geroux; TRAINER: Todd Fincher

4. Getaway Car (9-5): Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert ships graded stakes winner to New Mexico in search of his fourth career win in this race. This colt was the runner-up in 2024 in Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes Presented by DK Horse and enters off second in Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity. The most likely winner, but he’ll be challenged for the lead and figures to be a very short price.

JOCKEY: Juan Hernandez; TRAINER: Bob Baffert

5. Spenard (20-1): Huge class and distance test for well-bred Spun to Run colt from family of Birdstone coming out of a runaway win in a maiden sprint at Turf Paradise. Should be prominent early.

JOCKEY: Luis Valenzuela; TRAINER: Tena Birdwell

6. Take Charge Tom (8-1): He’s 3-for-3 with a stakes win on this track in the one-mile Riley Allison Futurity. Faces much stronger competition here, but he should be close to the pace early and all he does is win. Price is right.

JOCKEY: Orlando Mojica; TRAINER: Robertino Diodoro

7. McKinzie Street (4-1): Makes first start for new trainer after moving from Southern California barn of Tim Yakteen. Multiple Grade 1-placed as a 2-year-old but was well-beaten in his two most recent starts when fading late at shorter distance. Prefer others.

JOCKEY: Ramon Vazquez; TRAINER: Justin Evans

8. Touchy (7-2): Plenty of pace could set up his closing kick, and he has been competitive at this level. Stamina the big question in his first try stretching out in distance after four sprints. First starter at Sunland for trainer with more than 2,300 career wins.

JOCKEY: Joel Rosario; TRAINER: Wesley Ward

9. Caldera (5-1): Seemed like a lightbulb came on in his most recent start, a front-running 5 ½-length romp at this distance Jan. 17 at Oaklawn Park. Posted nice workout for this for his Hall of Fame trainer. Win candidate.

JOCKEY: Rafael Bejarano; TRAINER: D. Wayne Lukas

THE PICK: Caldera

LIVE LONGSHOT: Itsmybirthday

SUPERFECTA: 9-4-1-2