Sunland Park Decides to Cancel 2016 Sunland Derby

Sunland Park Racetrack management and the New Mexico Horsemen’s Association made the decision to cancel the G3 Sunland Derby and Oaks which were set to run Sunday, March 20, 2016.

 

Churchill Downs, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and the American Graded Stakes Committee have commended Sunland Park for considering the future of the Sunland Derby and Oaks and safe guarding the quality of the horses that are allowed to compete at Churchill Downs.

 

This decision was based on several factors:

 

1.     The facility’s EHV-1 quarantine date will be lifted on March 9, 2016, which is only eleven days prior to Sunland Derby and Oaks race day.

2.     Owners and trainers who normally participate and support the Sunland Derby and Oaks need to be made aware as soon as possible. Owners and trainers can now turn their focus to other qualifying races for the Kentucky Derby and Oaks.

3.     Protecting the integrity of the Sunland Derby and the Oaks with regards to graded status and points earned for the Kentucky Derby and Oaks.

 

FESTIVAL OF THE SUN – Saturday, March 19 and Sunday, March 20, 2016

 

The future of horse racing still looks bright at Sunland Park Racetrack.  “We understand how much the Sunland Derby and Oaks mean to our community and we want to make sure they always have something to celebrate.” says General Manager, Rick Baugh. 

 

Sunland Park has released its schedule of events for Saturday, March 19 and Sunday, March 20.  The weekend contains eight stakes races worth $1,185,000 including two newly created Thoroughbred stakes; the Sunland Park Festival of Racing Stakes with a purse of $415,000 and The Plum Pretty worth $200,000. Trainers from coast to coast have voiced their support of the newly created races and are expected to nominate horses in the coming days.