Tipsheet: 2026 Sunland Park Derby
Longshot Express Kid dominated the Remington Springboard Mile (Photo by Dustin Orona Photography/Remington Park)
February 11th, 2026
A well-matched field of seven sophomores will run 1 1/16 miles on the Sunland Park strip in Sunday’s $500,000 Sunland Park Derby. The 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will reward the top five finishers with qualifying points on a 20-10-6-4-2 structure.
Sunland Park Derby Picks
- #1 Express Kid
- #7 Daneyko
- #6 Bricklin
Sunland Park Derby Wagers
Sunland Park Derby Contenders
#1 EXPRESS KID (3-1): Top pick aced his route debut at Remington Park last time out when rolling home to a clear, 6 1/4-length win. Purchased for $800,000 since that victory, the son of Bodexpress has since recorded four swift morning drills on the Sunland surface as of late and seems all set for his 2026 debut. Now in the hands of trainer Justin Evans, the California-bred will be sent from the break with Juan Hernandez in for the ride.
#2 SHARONS BEACH (10-1): Jonathan Thomas maiden ran a big second in his first appearance with Lasix and stretches out to a route on the dirt for the initial time. The $150,000 son of Omaha Beach earned a healthy 94 Brisnet Speed rating in his sprint last time out, and the gelding has some appeal with John Velazquez coming in to guide the sophomore.
#3 PAVLOVIAN (8-1): California-bred from the Doug O’Neill barn puts the hood back on following a nice late try in the California Cup Derby in his largest venture. The Pavel colt could be dangerous from off the pace in a field with a lot of pace under Edwin Maldonado.
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#4 FORTY TWENTY (6-1): Candy Ride homebred crushed maiden runners in a dash at Turf Paradise in his second assignment and rises up in class, while also going long for the first time in this spot. He’s bred to route and clearly has ability, but the colt is a hard read for me and I will let him beat me in the feature.
#5 WAY BEYOND (4-1): Asmussen pupil was a close second in the local p[rep for this, the Riley Allison Derby, in advance of Sunday. The Twirling Candy colt has a versatile running style and will be in the hunt late with improvement under Keith Asmussen.
#6 BRICKLIN (7-2): I’m not sure if the Rodolphe Brisset pupil defeated much in his Oaklawn Park allowance romp last time, but the son of Nyquist did it in the right way and has to get attention in his second run of the season. The $450,000 purchase doesn’t need the lead in order to run well, but I still envision him being in range throughout, with Christian Torres retaining the ride.
#7 DANEYKO (9-2): Win threat put in a sustained late run to upset the Riley Allison Derby in his route debut last time and is surely improving for Edward Kereluk. The Vekoma colt could appreciate the added distance on Sunday, and he will also receive healthy splits to rally into late in the event, as well. Alfredo Juarez, Jr. has the call once again.
#8 BUNTUS FOCLORA (12-1): Exotics contender is a maiden coming in from the Empire State, but is not without a chance at a big price. The Amelia Green trainee has faced some good ones in his lifetime, and the son of Thousand Words is likely to thrive going two turns for the initial time, as well. The dark bay is not a toss in the evenly-matched group with Reylu Gutierrez on board.
