WinStar Derby

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The WinStar Derby is a race for thoroughbred horses open to three year olds willing to race one and one-eighth miles on the dirt. The Derby is held at the beginning of April at Sunland Park (founded in 1959) in New Mexico. Held just before it in late February is the Borderland Derby, raced as a prep for the WinStar.

Sponsored by WinStar Stud in Kentucky where Distorted Humor and Tiznow stand, the WinStar is an ungraded stakes race offering a purse of $600,000.

National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey and Mike E. Smith, as well as jockeys Pat Valenzuela and Cash Asmussen, all began their careers at Sunland Park.