Sunland Derby winner, Wild On Ice, one step closer to Kentucky Derby
Sunland Derby winner Wild On Ice and Sunland Oaks winner Flying Connection are one step closer to going to Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, for two of the sport's biggest races.
Wild On Ice and Flying Connection both worked well on Friday morning at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino for trainers Joel Marr and Todd Fincher, respectively. Both went a half-mile and both trainers are happy with the progress of each horse.
Wild On Ice won the Sunland Derby on March 26 to earn 50 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby, which is run on the first Saturday in May.
Flying Connection won the Sunland Oaks, which earned her 50 qualifying points for the Kentucky Oaks, run on the Friday before the Kentucky Derby. Both races are for 3-year-olds.
Both trainers said if their horses come back sound on Saturday, the plan is to fly the horses to Louisville on Sunday aboard a FedEx plane to start preparations for their respective races.
"Flying Connection worked great," Fincher said. "She's been doing well. The plan right now is to run in the Oaks."
Wild On Ice's owner, Frank Sumpter paid a late nomination fee of $6,000 on March 27 for the Kentucky Derby and is a go for the race if all things go right.
Since the March 26 win, Marr wouldn't commit to the Kentucky Derby until after Wild On Ice had another work over the Sunland track.
"He looked good in his work (Friday morning) and he's been doing great since the Sunland Derby," Marr said. "If he comes back fine on Saturday, he'll fly to Louisville and I'll join him there."
More: Sunland Derby news El Paso jockey Luis Fuentes continues to shine at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino
Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on Twitter
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Sunland Derby winner, Wild On Ice, one step closer to Kentucky Derby
