Sunday is the signature day on the calendar at Sunland Park in New Mexico, and the main attraction will be the 2023 Sunland Derby, the track's annual Kentucky Derby prep race. The winner of the race will earn 50 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby, virtually guaranteeing himself a spot on May 6 at Churchill Downs. The Bob Baffert-trained Hard to Figure is the 2-1 morning-line favorite in the 2023 Sunland Derby odds, but cannot earn any Derby qualifying points because of Baffert's suspension at Churchill Downs. Henry Q is the 3-1 second choice in the six-horse 2023 Sunland Derby field, while How Did He Do That is 9-2.
The 2023 Sunland Derby Post time is 6:45 p.m. ET. With several lightly raced three-year-olds set to enter the starting gate on Sunday, you'll want to see what racing reporter and analyst Michelle Yu has to say before making any 2023 Sunland Derby picks.
Few people in racing are as well-connected as Yu. An on-air host and reporter who has provided racing analysis for TVG, HRTV and the Breeders' Cup, Yu has spent a lifetime in racing. Prior to her television career, she worked for trainers Steve Asmussen and Ron Moquett. She also is married to Santa Anita-based trainer Ryan Hanson.
Since joining SportsLine in November 2021, her picks have cashed in the 2021 and '22 Breeders' Cup Classics, Kentucky Oaks, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes, among other races. Last month, she crushed the Saudi Cup, riding a 15-1 winner, and on Saturday, she correctly called the 6-1 winner of the UAE Derby.
For Sunday, Yu has handicapped the 2023 Sunland Derby field, given her horse-by-horse analysis, made her picks and constructed her wagers. Head to SportsLine to see them.
Top 2023 Sunland Derby predictions
One surprise: Yu's top pick is not the Bob Baffert-trained Hard to Figure, even though he is the 2-1 morning-line favorite. A son of 2018 Kentucky Derby runner-up Good Magic, Hard to Figure has finished off the board only once in five career starts. His last race was his fastest yet, a second place finish in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes on Feb. 4 at Santa Anita.
But Yu is concerned that Hard to Figure may regress off that race since it was much faster than he had previously run in his career. "He figures to be low odds, and I think we should take a swing against him because of that," Yu told SportsLine. See which horses to back at SportsLine.
How to make 2023 Sunland Derby picks
Instead, Yu's top choice is a horse who will benefit from the added 2023 Sunland Derby distance. She is including this horse in her 2023 Sunland Derby bets, and so should you. She's sharing which horses to back only at SportsLine.
So which horse wins the Sunland Derby? And how has she constructed her wagers? Visit SportsLine to see Yu's picks for the 2023 Sunland Derby, and find out.
2023 Sunland Derby odds
| Prg # | Horse | Odds | Projection |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | How Did He Do That | 9-2 | SEE PICKS |
| 2 | Low Expectations | 6-1 | SEE PICKS |
| 3 | Fort Bragg | 4-1 | SEE PICKS |
| 4 | Henry Q | 3-1 | SEE PICKS |
| 5 | One in Vermillion | 6-1 | SEE PICKS |
| 6 | Hard to Figure | 2-1 | SEE PICKS |
| 7 | Wild On Ice | 20-1 | SEE PICKS |
