Firing Line was supposed to win easily at the 13th running of the $800,000 Grade 3 Sunland Derby. However, the highest rated horse ever to come to Sunland Park turned their biggest race of the year into a lopsided display of dominance and class. Firing Line won by 14 1/4 lengths on Sunday afternoon, and was never challenged by the remaining six horse field. The 1-5 favorite broke away at the half way mark of the race and Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens glided him to the finish line with a new track record of 1:47:39. More importantly, Firing Line earned 50 qualifying points towards the Kentucky Derby and appears to be a serious contender for the May 2nd race.

Coady Photography.
Coady Photography.
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The other major race on a loaded Sunday racing card was the Sunland Oaks, and it featured a controversial finish. Callback, the favorite to win the Oaks, had interfered with Fancy and Flashy down the stretch. Instead of placing first, Callback was moved down to fourth, and Maybellene was declared the winner. Both fillies, Callback and Maybellene are trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert.

 

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