Meet the Contenders: 2025 Sunland Derby
Getaway Car (Photo by Benoit Photo)
February 12th, 2025
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.
"X" marks the spot, and trainer Bob Baffert is driving the "Getaway Car" to an 18th Del Mar Futurity win on Sunday. 🏇 🎶 https://t.co/HTltmAP8HA
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) September 6, 2024
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.
