Meet the Contenders: 2023 Sunland Park Derby

Meet the horses running in the 2023 Sunland Park Derby (G3) over 1 1/8 miles on dirt at Sunland Park in New Mexico. 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 in the Sunland Park Derby field.

#1 HOW DID HE DO THAT        ***

Pro: Ran solidly with first blinkers last time and should get plenty of pace to chase.

Con: Fairly exposed at this point and has yet to run a truly fast race.

#2 LOW EXPECTATIONS        ***

Pro: Perfect around two turns on dirt at Santa Anita, albeit against lesser.

Con: Faces a lot classier speed in his stakes debut here.

#3 FORT BRAGG        *****

Pro: No threat in San Felipe (G2), but should find this level of opposition easier.

Con: Prone to finding trouble and will need to settle more kindly.

#4 HENRY Q        ****

Pro: Local debut couldn’t have been more impressive for 29% winning barn.

Con: Might not be able to sneak away so easily this time and potential candidate to bounce.

#5 ONE IN VERMILLION        **

Pro: Precocious last season and has developed into a consistent winner.

Con: One of several that could be severely compromised by abundance of pace.

#6 HARD TO FIGURE        ****

Pro: Strong try as 12-1 outsider in an intramural edition of the Robert B. Lewis (G3).

Con: Regression off career best is the primary concern.

#7 WILD ON ICE        *

Pro: With so much speed signed on, might pick up some pieces if race falls apart.

Con: Well beaten facing several of these in last two and seemingly not good enough.