Asmussen, Lukas, Pletcher have Sunland Derby hopefuls

Trainers Steve Asmussen, D. Wayne Lukas, and Todd Pletcher are all pointing horses to the Grade 3, $800,000 Sunland Derby on March 25. The race is the richest of the Sunland Park meet and will anchor a program of seven stakes, including the $200,000 Sunland Park Oaks.

The card will be drawn Wednesday.

The Sunland Derby, at 1 1/8 miles, is a Kentucky Derby qualifier, with the first four finishers earning points on a scale of 50-20-10-5.

Asmussen said New York Central and Dream Baby Dream are both being pointed to the Sunland Derby. New York Central was a neck winner of a first-level allowance route Feb. 19 at Oaklawn. Dream Baby Dream was third in the same race. The horses worked in company Monday at Oaklawn, going five-eighths together in 1:01.

Pletcher said plans are to run Prince Lucky and Hyndford in the Sunland Derby.

“Hyndford was second to Magnum Moon last time in an allowance at Tampa,” Pletcher said. Magnum Moon was to run Saturday at Oaklawn in the Grade 2, $900,000 Rebel Stakes.

Prince Lucky won last year’s $120,000 Pennsylvania Nursery at Parx Racing.

Lukas said Kentucky Club is on deck for the Sunland Derby. He said Luis Contreras will ride the horse, who was a maiden winner in January at Oaklawn.

Sunland officials said the race could also draw All Out Blitz, Dark Vader, and Runaway Ghost.