Meet the Contenders: 2025 Sunland Derby
Getaway Car (Photo by Benoit Photo)
Meet the horses running in the 2025 Sunland Park Derby at Sunland Park. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents opportunity to perform well. Be sure to follow these contenders by adding them to your stable alerts.
Itsmybirthday wins at Turf Paradise. (Photo by Coady Media)
#1 Itsmybirthday **
Pro: Won by wide margins in first two, including allowance over next-out winner.
Con: Faces a much stronger class of horse here than he did at Turf Paradise.
Take Charge Tom wins against Remembering Big Jim in second at Sunland Park. (Photo by Coady Media)
#2 Remember Big Jim **
Pro: A surprise runner-up in Riley Allison Derby and should get another favorable pace.
Con: Still a maiden after four starts, and these types rarely upset stakes like this.
Smash it wins the Zia Park Juvenile S. at Zia Park. (Photo by Coady Media)
#3 Smash It **
Pro: Stakes winner held third as heavy favorite in Riley Allison Derby most recently.
Con: Louisiana-bred has not been as effective in two-turn attempts so far.
Getaway Car (Photo by Benoit Photo)
#4 Getaway Car *****
Pro: G3 scorer possesses the class edge going in, given Southern Cal form.
Con: Speedy colt is 0-for-3 at 1 1/16 miles, thus a beatable favorite.
Vodka N Gingerale wins with Spenard at a close second at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)
#5 Spenard *
Pro: Has won or placed in all three starts; dominated maiden rivals last time.
Con: Fields he’s faced have been comparatively soft; looks up against it on paper.
Take Charge Tom wins against Remembering Big Jim in second at Sunland Park. (Photo by Coady Media)
#6 Take Charge Tom **
Pro: Has pulled out a pair of stakes wins lately, including one over local strip.
Con: Although undefeated, this will be the biggest class test he will have faced.
McKinzie Street (Photo by Benoit Photo)
#7 McKinzie Street ***
Pro: Has placed twice against G1 company, including versus champion Citizen Bull.
Con: Form in Southern California has been on the decline in recent months.
Touchy wins at Keeneland. (Photo by Coady Media)
#8 Touchy ****
Pro: Dual stakes-placed colt bred to handle extra ground asked of him here.
Con: Tends to need at least two months between starts, and this is a shorter turnaround.
Caldera wins at Oaklawn Park. (Photo by Coady Media)
#9 Caldera **
Pro: Addition of blinkers last time helped him easily land an Oaklawn maiden.
Con: Jump from non-winner ranks to stakes not insignificant.
