The 2023 Sunland Derby and Oaks: What to know for this year's races

Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino's biggest day is here. On Sunday, the Sunland Derby will highlight seven stakes races on the card and will attract national attention because of what implication the race has in regards to the Triple Crown. The Sunland Derby is one of several races, which help horses qualify for the Kentucky Derby.

The Sunland Oaks will also be featured Sunday and is a key prep race for the Kentucky Oaks.

The first race is at 12:25 p.m. with the Sunland Oaks scheduled for race No. 8 and the Sunland Derby scheduled for race No. 10. Here is what to know about the two big races.

Sunland Derby

• The winner of $600,000, Grade III race, which will be contested at 1 1/8th miles will earn 50 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby, which is held on the first Saturday in May and is the first of three Triple Crown races. The Sunland Derby is for 3-year-old thoroughbreds, male or female.

• The field of now six after Fort Bragg was pulled out of the race has a handful of local ties. El Paso owners Judy and Kirk Robison look to earn a trip to Louisville, Kentucky, with their horse How Did He Do That, which ran second in the Riley Allison Derby on Jan. 29. Trainer Todd Fincher sends Henry Q to post as the second morning-line favorite at 3-1 and local trainer Joel Marr's horse Wild On Ice will look to upset the field as a longshot. Wild On Ice was given morning-line odds of 20-1.

• Three-time winning trainer Bob Baffert returns with 2-1 morning-line favorite Hard To Figure and Turf Paradise invader One In Vermillion looks to win his second race at Sunland. He won the Riley Allison Derby.

• The Sunland Derby has a rich history with several of the sport's biggest names associated with the race. Mine That Bird, who didn't win the Sunland Derby but ran in it on the way to the Kentucky Derby.

• Baffert is one of the nation's top trainers and Fincher qualified horses for the Breeders' Cup last year.

• Jockey Mario Gutierrez, who rides Low Expectations this year, is a former Kentucky Derby winning rider.

• The Sunland Derby is scheduled to start at 4:45 p.m. and advance wagering on the race begins Saturday at the racetrack.

Sunland Oaks

• The Sunland Oaks also has a field of seven and the winner will receive 50 qualifying points to the Kentucky Oaks, which is run on the Friday before the Kentucky Derby. The $300,000 race will be contested at 1 1/16th miles. The Sunland Oaks is for 3-year-old fillies.

• Much like the Derby, the Oaks has local ties to the race. Fincher's Flying Connection is entered and figures to be one of the favorites. Sunland trainer Nancy Summers will send two horses to post, Love Tank and Cairo Moon. Love Tank is co-owned by Judge Lanier Racing (Tom McKenna et al), who has been a longtime owner in New Mexico. And trainer trainer Greg Green will take a shot at the Oaks win with Foolish Delight.

• Baffert will also have a presence in the race with Doinitthehardway.

• The Sunland Oaks is set to start at 3:41 p.m. and advance wagering will also start on Saturday.

Other notes about Sunland Derby day

• There are 11 races total and the seven stakes races offer a mix of New Mexico-breds and open horses.

• The 50 points that winners of both the Sunland Derby and Sunland Oaks has traditionally been enough to earn them a trip to Kentucky.

• There will be food and drink booths available throughout the racetrack.

• Plan to get your bets in early as to avoid long lines.

• Parking and entry into the races are free, but if you hope to sit in the Turf Club, call ahead to ask about reservations at 575-874-5200.

More: Sunland Derby field set Hard To Figure is 2-1 morning-line favorite for Sunday's Sunland Derby

Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com @Fchavezeptimes on Twitter

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: What to know about the 2023 Sunland Derby and Oaks