Getaway Car will be one to beat in 2025 Sunland Derby for trainer Bob Baffert

Posted by author February 16, 2025 Horse Racing

Spread the love

The 20th edition of the Sunland Derby should be a good one as nine horses go to the starting gate to earn 20 early qualifying points for the 2025 Kentucky Derby.

Sunday’s 1 1/16th mile race at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino has plenty of interesting 3-year-old entries, so I’ll take my shot at picking the winner.

There are other big races Sunday such as the Sunland Oaks for 3-year-old fillies and the Harry Henson Handicap for older fillies and mares. The 10-race card starts at 12:25 p.m.

Who will win Sunland Derby?

The horse I like best is Getaway Car, the son of Curlin and who is trained by Bob Baffert. This horse has run against talented horses such as Citizen Bull and Journalism and figures to be able to handle the distance well.

Getaway Car, who is 9-5 in the morning line, ran a good fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last November, a race that featured top 2-year-olds at that time in the thoroughbred division.

For second, I like the local horse Remember Big Jim, who is 12-1 in the morning line, for trainer Flaco Cappellucci, one of the best trainers in New Mexico. Remembering Big Jim nearly won the Riley Allison Derby last month at Sunland Park with a late charge at the end and a recent workout indicates he’s on the upswing.

For third, I like Turf Paradise invader Itsmybirthday, who is 20-1 in the morning line. He won his debut on Jan. 1 by nearly 11 lengths, then followed up another strong win on Jan. 16. Robertino Diodoro trains the Kentucky-bred horse.

The Sunland Derby is scheduled to be run at 4:17 p.m. The Kentucky Derby is always run on the first Saturday in May. This year it’s May 3.

Who will win Sunland Oaks?

The seven-horse field has a pair of horses from the Steve Asmussen barn and one from the Baffert barn.

I like Baffert to complete the Sunland Derby and Oaks sweep with Maysam in the Oaks. Maysam is the 9-5 morning-line favorite. She won her only start by six lengths on Jan. 24 in California and has quality workouts since.

For second, I’ll go with the local trainer as one of New Mexico’s best Todd Fincher hopes Rogue Justice will run a big race. Rogue Justice, who is 10-1 in the morning-line, ran second in the Borderplex Stakes at Sunland on Jan. 17 and Fincher typically has his horses ready for big races.

For third, I like Runnin N Gunnin for Asmussen. She has won twice in five starts and Sunland Park standout jockey Alfredo Juarez Jr. gets the call to ride and he’s winning at a 33% clip during the current 2025 Sunland Park meet. Runnin N Gunnin is 3-1 in the morning-line

Who will win Harry Henson Handicap

The sentimental favorite here is Corrina Corrina, the 6-year-old New Mexico bred, who owns 18 career wins and seven of those at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino.

Corrina Corrina, who is the 9-5 morning-line favorite, has a late charging style and the mile distance suits her perfectly and she gets regular rider Tracy Hebert aboard.

For second, I like Don’t Bring Crazy, who ships in from California for trainer Doug O’Neill. Two races back she won at a mile and she’s been consistent with her recent form, finishing third, second, first and third in her last four starts. Don’t Bring Crazy is 7-2 in the morning-line.

For third, I like Valence, a three-time winner for trainer Ty Garret and who also has four second place finishes in seven starts. Valence is 2-1 in the morning-line.

Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavexeptimes on X