Tipsheet: 2024 Sunland Park Derby

A talented field of eight sophomores will travel 1 1/16 miles on the dirt on Sunday in the $400,000 Sunland Park Derby (G3). The 2024 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will give the top-five finishers qualifying points towards Churchill Downs on May 4 on a 20-10-6-4-2 structure. 

Sunland Park Derby Picks

• #5 Stronghold
• #6 Alotaluck
• #8 Informed Patriot 
• #4 Lucky Jeremy

Sunland Park Derby Wagers

• $20 win and place #5 Stronghold
• $2 trifecta 5 with 4,6,8 with all
• $1 superfecta 5 with 4,6,8 with 4,6,8 with all

Sunland Park Derby Contenders

#1 NO TROUBLE (10-1): Joel Marr trainee broke his maiden in a comfortable win sprinting most recently and gets the rail for his route and stakes debut. The World of Trouble three-year-old surely has talent, but he will need a big move forward to upset this field with Ken Tohill in the silks. 

#2 SURROUNDEDBYANGELS (12-1): Smiling Tiger colt finished a distant third in a stakes try on the oval last time out for conditioner Bart Hone. The California-bred bay has obvious room for improvement while making his third career run on Sunday, but he looks to be in a tough spot with Alejandro Medellin taking the reins. 

#3 CURLIN’S KAOS (5-1): Antonio Garcia trainee rolled home to a nice turf win at one mile at Santa Anita in his first try with blinkers removed. The talented son of Clubhouse Ride has won or placed in each of his four lifetime efforts to date, and he has appeal on the move back to the dirt in this offering. Diego Herrera will be in the stirrups. 

#4 LUCKY JEREMY (4-1): Riley Allison Derby victor looked the part in his first route attempt last time out and is an obvious contender for conditioner Bill Morey. This Lookin At Lucky colt has pace but doesn’t need the lead to win, and the bay appears to be a top-three must-use under the guidance of repeat rider Christian Ramos. 

#5 STRONGHOLD (5-2): Top pick and one to beat capped his solid juvenile campaign with a close runner-up in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2). Trained by Phil D’Amato, the son of Ghostzapper has been first or second in each of his four appearances leading up to this start, and he has knocked heads with some talented foes, as well. The homebred will be prominent from the break under Antonio Fresu. 

#6 ALOTALUCK (6-1): Sir Prancealot gelding was sharp in a debut score at Zia Park and followed that up with a clear second in the Riley Allison most recently. The Ty Garrett charge stayed on late after disputing swift early splits last time out, and he will be dangerous with a more sensible voyage against this field. Regular pilot Oscar Ceballos retains the mount. 

#7 DA RINGO (20-1): Union Rags gelding seems to be at least a cut below the major contenders in the group and would be a major surprise on this occasion in his second run after being claimed for $7,500. 

#8 INFORMED PATRIOT (3-1): Consistent sort from the Steve Asmussen shedrow is battle-tested and rates a logical chance with a forward move from the outside post. The dark bay son of Hard Spun finished a good third in the Smarty Jones S. in his 2024 debut and will not need major improvement to be in the mix late on this day. The colt will have Joel Rosario in the silks.