Mine That Bird gets stakes at Sunland Park

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Sunland Park, NM (Sports Network) - In 2009 a little known stakes in New Mexico became famous when one of its participants captured the Kentucky Derby at record equaling odds. Four years after Mine That Bird shocked the racing world as a 50-1 longshot, he will have a stakes race named for him during the upcoming meeting at Sunland Park.

The Southwest track has renamed its prep race leading to the Sunland Derby in honor of the only horse to come out it and win the Run for the Roses. The Mine That Bird Derby, formerly named the Borderland Derby, will be run on Saturday, Feb. 23 with a purse of $130,000.

The Mine That Bird Derby comes four weeks before the $800,000 Sunland Derby on March 24 which is part of the new Kentucky Derby Point System. The winner of the Grade III Derby will earn 50 points toward becoming part of the 20- horse Kentucky Derby field.

"Last year's Sunland Derby day was a record breaker. The upcoming season looks very promising strengthened by terrific stables. We are also excited about the Sunland Derby being an important part of the new Kentucky Derby qualifying point system," said Sunland Park Director of Racing Dustin Dix.

Mine That Bird, who was fourth in the Sunland Derby, followed his upset victory in the Run for the Roses with a second to Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness Stakes and was third to half-brother Summer Bid in the Belmont Stakes.