over $1 Million race day
The 20th running of the Sunland Derby promises to offer some of the most exciting racing the southwest has to offer. The $400,000 race gives the winner 20 qualifying points towards entrance into the 2025 Kentucky Derby.
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The 65th season of live horse racing at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino begins on Friday, January 3, 2025.
Post time during the 55-day season will be 12:25 p.m with racing on all but opening week being held on a Thursday through Sunday basis, with closing day to be held on Sunday, April 6. The opening day program will feature two thoroughbred stakes races, the $100,000 New Mexico State Racing Commission Handicap as well as the $65,000 KLAQ Handicap.
Loaded with rich stakes races, Sunland Park offers some of the most attractive races for Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses in the Southwest. The $16 million dollar season will dish out over $275,000 in purses per race day.
The sparkling jewel of the lucrative season is the $400,000 Sunland Derby (Gr. III) to be run on Sunday, February 16, 2025. The Kentucky Derby prep race offers 20 qualifying points to the winner for entry to the 2025 Run for the Roses. The 20th edition of the one and one-sixteenth mile classic anchors a huge day worth $1 million in purse money. The $250,000 Sunland Park Oaks, as well as the $100,000 Bill Thomas Memorial Stakes, the $100,000 Harry W. Henson Handicap, the $100,000 Enchantress Stakes and the $100,000 Red Hedeman Mile are also part of Sunland Park’s biggest day.