On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
Eric and Sharon Waller’s Los Alamitos Futurity (Grade 2) runner-up Stronghold was tabbed as the 5-2 morning line favorite in the field of eight 3-year-olds set to contest Sunday’s 19th running of the $400,000 Sunland Derby (G3).
Run at 1 1/16 miles, the Sunland Derby will go as Race 9 with a post time of 6:17 p.m. The top five finishers will receive points on a 20-10-6-4-2 scale towards a spot in the starting gate for the $5 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1).
Trained by Phil D’Amato, Stronghold jumped on the Road to the Kentucky Derby when he finished a close second behind Wynstock in the Los Alamitos Futurity. The son of Ghostzapper began his career based at Churchill Downs but shipped to D’Amato’s Santa Anita Park string in October. The Sunland Derby will be Stronghold’s first start of his 3-year-old campaign, and he will once again unite with jockey Antonio Fresu from post No. 5.
Another top prospect entered in the Sunland Derby is Kirk and Judy Robison’s Smarty Jones Stakes third-place finisher Informed Patriot. Trained by Steve Asmussen, Informed Patriot finished 2 ¾ lengths back of Catching Freedom in the Smarty Jones Stakes on New Year’s Day at Oaklawn. The son of Hard Spun will have the riding services of Joel Rosario and break from the far outside post 8.
Here is the Sunland Derby field from the rail out (with jockey, trainer and morning line odds):
- No Trouble (Ken Tohill, Joel Marr, 10-1);
- Surroundedbyangels (Alejandro Medellin, Bart Hone, 12-1);
- Curlin’s Kaos (Diego Herrera, Antonio Garcia, 5-1);
- Lucky Jeremy (Christian Ramos, Bill Morey, 4-1);
- Stronghold (Fresu, D’Amato, 5-2);
- Alotaluck (Oscar Ceballos, Ty Garrett, 6-1);
- Da Ringo (Alfredo Juarez Jr., Jose Gonzalez Jr., 20-1); and
- Informed Patriot (Rosario, Asmussen, 3-1).
No Trouble, Surroundedbyangels and Da Ringo are not currently nominated to the Triple Crown but can become eligible with a $6,000 late payment due April 1.
Watch and wager on the Sunland Derby on www.TwinSpires.com, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated and the Kentucky Derby.
More must-reads:
- Packers HC bothered by rookie's 'unacceptable' behavior during preseason game
- Who could be the odd man out in Browns QB room?
- The 'Most multi-HR games by MLB team' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Patrik Laine Hints at Leaving the Montreal Canadiens in Free Agency in Home-Country Interview
Patrik Laine has recently done a major interview in his home country, and in that interview, he hinted at testing the waters in free agency next summer. The NHL career of Patrik Laine has been a very intriguing one to follow, as he has had mixed success in his time with the Winnipeg Jets, Columbus Blue Jackets and Montreal Canadiens, with the talented forward dealing with struggles on and off the ice in that time. However, things have turned around in recent times after he enjoyed a solid campaign with Montreal last season, and now, in an interview in his home country of Finland, he's opened up on many topics. Laine hints at testing free agency in 2026 While he's been very happy in Montreal, the 27-year old still has a very long future ahead of him in the National Hockey League, and with the former No. 2 overall pick set to be a free agent next summer, he's hinted that he may test the waters after not having the opportunity for quite some time. 'It's a little different from what I'm used to. Before, I've always just gone to whoever owns my rights. Next summer I get to decide for myself. It's a nice and great situation.' In the interview, Laine notes that he's usually just sticking with the team that owns his rights, but he'll now finally hit unrestricted free agency, and with so many teams around the NHL cashed up and looking for great wingers, it may be his time to cash in and get paid on a long-term deal. After 20 goals in 52 games a year ago, Laine flashed the talent that once made him the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, and if he can stay healthy next season and post 30 or more, he'll be one of the top names available. If that does happen though, the team at the top of the list offering him a big deal will be the Canadiens, so don't be shocked if he remains, but for right now, he's looking to get himself into a position to cash in next off-season.
Milwaukee Brewers: Craig Counsell Blasts Former Team’s 14-Game Winning Streak, Gets Caught Lying
Chicago Bears WR Luther Burden makes massive statement in unexpected way vs. Bills
Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver is still battling for reps with the starting offense. Veteran Olamide Zaccheaus has a strong hold on the WR3 gig, and if Burden wants to catch him, he'll need to impress coaches with more than just his playmaking ability. And boy did he do exactly that during Sunday night's Week 2 preseason game against the Buffalo Bills. Burden, whose passion for the finer details of football was questioned during the run-up to the 2025 NFL Draft, did the grunt work that not every receiver is fond of: he got his nose dirty in the run game. Check out this incredible block that cleared the way for an Ian Wheeler touchdown run. Believe it or not, that was Burden's second edge-destroying block that resulted in a Bears' score. Here was the first: Of course, the Bears spent the No. 39 overall pick on Luther Burden primarily because of his playmaking skill set. And he put that on display against the Bills' defense, too. Burden totaled three catches for 49 yards in the first half. He looked every bit the part of game-changing wide receiver. Even in the run game.
Raiders’ Pete Carroll gushes about key offseason acquisition after loss to 49ers
While most Las Vegas Raiders fans are excited about Ashton Jeanty in the preseason, other players under the radar made an impact in the 22-19 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday. When the Raiders signed former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Terrell Edmunds, people were wondering how he would perform, as he’s already caught the attention of head coach Pete Carroll. After Edmunds recorded five total tackles (fourth on the team), three of them solo, against San Francisco, Carroll would be asked about his thoughts on the former first-round pick’s performance. Carroll would say how much he “really” likes Edmunds and how much of a “very versatile player” he is for the system, according to Anthony Galaviz. “I like him. Yeah, I really like him. I like the experience that he brings,” Carroll said. “He’s been in a lot of situations. He’s been a very versatile player in the style that he’s been asked to play, and that’s shown up already.” Edmunds would speak with reporters for the first time last Tuesday since being signed by Las Vegas and shared how “excited” he was to start a new chapter in his NFL journey. “My first thoughts when the opportunity presented itself, I was just excited,” Edmunds said, via the team’s YouTube page. “Excited to come and join a new team, excited to come and join these guys. I saw how much they were grinding. I watched the (preseason) game before I even came out here.” Pete Carroll on the Raiders losing to the 49ers in the preseason Despite the loss from the Raiders to the 49ers, Carroll would point out the one positive being that it was a “hard-fought game from start to finish,” with many areas that need correction. “First off, I thought this was a really good, hard-fought game from start to finish,” Pete Carroll said in his post-game press conference, via the team’s website. “We had some things that we needed to correct from the practice that we had, and we did. Played the running game much more with impact than we did in practice.” “The adjustments the coaches made worked out well, players were able to adapt in just a couple days time,” Carroll continued. “Against a really formidable running team that loves to run the football, I thought we did that really well. Just a terrific game back and forth the whole time.” Consequently, as Edmunds looks for Las Vegas to be his permanent team, they open the season on Sunday, Sept. 7, against the New England Patriots.
Commanders Trade? Washington 'Shopping' Starting Running Back, Per Report
The Washington Commanders will enter the 2025 season with one of the better offenses in football, if Terry McLaurin signs his new deal, which we think he will. But the front office doesn't appear to be too content with the running back room, and given that none are under contract beyond 2025, it makes this season hugely important for a host of backs. One is Brian Robinson, who has been a consistent presence in the Commanders' backfield for the past three years, posting over 700 rushing yards in each season. However, it appears Washington is ready to offload B-Rob. Per Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz, the Commanders are shopping Robinson around to other teams. "Sources: The #Commanders have been shopping RB Brian Robinson Jr. to teams around the NFL," Schultz tweeted. "The former 3rd-round pick out of Alabama is entering the final year of his contract." Schultz then posted, "Washington likes its RB depth, but Robinson is available for the right price." So, there could be a scenario where B-Rob is on his way out of the nation's capital, but given that he is in the final year of his contract, who would be willing to part ways with draft capital for a one-year rental? We don't think too many would; instead, just wait for the 2025 season to play out and get Robinson as a free agent. Either way, there appears to be change happening for the Commanders with the regular season just around the corner, with their best running back potentially not being on the roster come Week 1.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
