The $900,000 Sunland Derby was held this Sunday, March 29th at Sunland Park. In an exciting race, Kelly Leak, trained by Michael Machowsky and ridden by New Mexico Jockey Mike Smith, rallied from the quarter pole to win by one and a half lengths over runner up Mythical Power in what was an exciting race run by some very talented horses.

Congratulations to Kelly Leak and his connections, owners Blahut Racing, Dennis Avila, and Dave Johnson, trainer Michael Machowsky, and jockey Mike Smith, on an exciting victory.

Congratulations as well to runner up Mythical Power and his connections, owners Peachtree Stables, Trainer Bob Baffert, and Jockey Garret Gomez.

Sunland featured a full race card of thirteen rich races on the 29^th. The winners are as follows:

Race One: Vital Force, ridden by Ken S. Tohill, owned by Golden Eagle Farm and trained by Chris A. Hartman

Race two: Blazing Superstar, ridden by Alejandro Medellin, owned by Leslie A. and Pierre Jean Amestoy and trained by Jose R. Gonzales Jr.

Race Three: Dignified Donovan, ridden by Anthony Cruz, owned by Chris D. Marquez and Augustine Chavez and Matthews Art, and trained by Jose R. Gonzales Jr.

Race Four: Accolades n Praise, ridden by Alejandro Medellin, owned by Tommy Town Thoroughbreds and trained by Henry Dominguez.

Race Five: Dos and Don’ts, ridden by Alejandro Medellin, Owned by Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, and trained by Johnnie L. Nall

Race six: Daddy O, ridden by Alejandro Medellin, owned by Pierre Jean and Leslie A. Amestoy, and trained by Jose R. Gonzales Jr.

Race Seven: Quiet Again, ridden by Victor Espinoza, owned by Paul Bruce Thomason, and trained by Jimmy D. Claridge

New Mexico Breeders Oaks’: Oh My Ghost, ridden by Casey T. Lambert, owned and trained by Robert A. Cappellucci

New Mexico Breeder’s Derby: Runnin Red, ridden by John R. Velazquez, owned by H. Joseph Allen and trained by Joel Marr

Sunland Park Oaks: Gabby’s Golden Gal, ridden by Victor Espinoza, owned by Arnold Zetcher and trained by Bob Baffert.

Henry W. Henson H: Prairie Charm, ridden by Ken S. Tohill, owned by Richard Lueck, and trained by Gary W. Cross

Race Thirteen: Smooth Ghost, ridden by Ken S. Tohill, owned by Gary  L. Thompson and trained by Jon G. Arnett.

Congratulations to all contestants on a well run, exciting day.

Attendance at the races was excellent. Total handle was $2,690,130.