A 14 1/2-length winner of the Mine That Bird Derby last out, New Mexico-based Henry Q is the second choice on the morning line at 3-1 for Sunday's Grade 3, $600,000 Sunland Park Derby. The Sunland Derby drew a field of seven sophomore colts, and offers the top five finishers points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby (50-20-15-10-5).
Conditioned by top local trainer Todd Fincher, the son of Blame has shown two local works since his prep race victory.
Henry Q was bred in Kentucky by Fred W. Hertrich, lll and John D. Fielding, out of the winning Malibu Moon mare Lunar Empress, a half-sister to multiple stakes winners Silver Heart and Aspenglow. Dennis O'Neill selected Henry Q for $125,000 as a yearling at the Keeneland September sale, and the colt was trained by Doug O'Neill for his first three starts in Southern California.
In his third start, Henry Q broke his maiden in an optional claiming event under jockey Frankie Dettori. Transferred to Fincher's stable in New Mexico, the colt led all the way in his easy victory in the Mine That Bird Derby, the local prep for the Sunland Derby. Local rider Edwin Maldonado will retain the mount.
Favored on the morning line at 2-1 is Bob Baffert trainee Hard to Figure (Hard Spun), second last out in the G3 Bob Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita. Baffert trainees are not eligible for Kentucky Derby points due to the trainer's ongoing ban from Churchill Downs, Inc. properties. Flavien Prat ships in to ride.
Former Baffert trainee Fort Bragg, now in the hands of his former assistant Tim Yakteen, is the third choice on the morning line at 4-1. Fort Bragg, by Tapit, finished fifth in his first start for Yakteen in the G2 San Felipe Stakes earlier this month. Southern California jockey Juan Hernandez will retain the mount.
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