The Sunland Park Derby lost its graded status for 2026 but still offers a half-million-dollar purse and, perhaps more importantly, 42 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve distributed to the top five finishers. This year’s renewal drew a competitive field of 3-year-olds shipping in to New Mexico from all parts of the U.S. It will be televised live Sunday on FanDuel TV.
Author: News
Hall of Fame horse trainer who won over $64 MILLION and 6,000 races in 60-year career dies at 92
He retired in 2023 as the third trainer in history, behind Dale Baird and Jack Van Berg, to win at least 6,000 races. His final total was 6,508 to go with purse earnings of $64,693,537.
Hall of Fame Trainer, Maryland Legend King Leatherbury Dies at 92
The Maryland Jockey Club mourns the passing of legendary Hall of Fame trainer King Leatherbury, who died at his home Tuesday morning. He was 92. “He’s one of a kind,” said one of his twin sons, Taylor Leatherbury. “There’s never been a man more appropriately named than my father.”
2026 Kentucky Derby Trail: Three Heating Up, Three Cooling Down for Feb. 10
This feature provides a capsule look at three horses who are heating up on the Triple Crown trail and three horses whose chances for the 2026 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve are not as strong as they previously were. In the second edition of this blog for the 2026 run for the roses, the focus is on what has changed since the previous edition on Jan. 21. HEATING UP
