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Here is a quick look at today’s Sunland Derby (GIII) and a look at the top conteders.
Conveyance is the morning line 9/5 favorite in today’s Sunland Derby (GIII). This is the first time that the Sunland Derby (GIII) is a graded race. Conveyance is the undefeated son of Indian Charlie, and is trained by Kentucky Derby winning trainer Bob Baffert. Conveyance should go right to the lead and try to dictate the pace the entire way.
Two horses in today’s Sunland Derby (GIII) that will try to get their tickets punched to Churchill Downs will be Nacho Friend and Tempted to Tapit. Nacho Friend is coming in off a game 3rd place finish to Awesome Act in the Gotham (GIII) earlier this month at Aqueduct. It was Nacho Friends first start since July 31, 2025 where he ran a good 4th in the Sanford Stakes (GII) at Saratoga. Nacho Friend will be making his second start off the layoff in today’s Sunland Derby (GIII) for Kelly Breen. Joe Bravo has made the trip out west to ride Nacho Friend. George and Lori Hall’s Nacho Friend breezed 5 furlongs over the Sunland surface on March 22. This is a good spot for Nacho Friend. This field is not the strongest, and has two other main contenders to deal with in Conveyance and Tempted to Tapit. I expect Nacho Friend to run well today and try to get that ticket punched to Churchill Downs. He should move forward off his last race.
Tempted to Tapit comes into the Sunland Derby (GIII) after running a game 2nd to Discreetly Mine in the Risen Star (GII) at the Fairgrounds in February. Tempted to Tapit is the #12 horse in ThoroughbredZone’s Kentucky Derby 12-tied with Ice Box, winner of last weeks Florida Derby (GI). Tempted to Tapit was an $18,000 purchase and has already gone on to earn over $100,000. He will look to add to that total this afternoon. Tempted to Tapit has been working strongly at Gulfstream Park for trainer Steve Kelsaris. Tempted to Tapit is ready for a solid attempt in today’s Sunland Derby (GIII).
Conveyance will be a tough customer today for Bob Baffert. Conveyance has been working like a machine for Bob Baffert over the Pro-Ride surface Santa Anita. A top effort to propel him into the Kentucky Derby is expected. Conveyance is also going to be stretching out for the first time to a mile and an eighth. However Nacho Friend & Tempted to Tapit will offer him his biggest challenge today. Both Nacho Friend and Tempted to Tapit will need strong efforts to be considered Kentucky Derby prospects. I expect both to run well and be there late today. They will have to beat Conveyance, and they will give it their best shot.
One other horse to make mention of here in today’s Sunland Derby (GIII) is Classical Slew, who will be making his first career start on dirt for Doug O’Neil. Classical Slew makes his first start since a 3rd place finish in the San Vicente (GII) to speedster and the #3 horse on ThoroughbredZone’s Kentucky Derby 12 Sydney’s Candy. Classical Slew will be stretching out for the first time today, and has some speed. He could go right up after Conveyance early. If Classical Slew shows early pop, that could make for an interesting pace scenario.
The rest of the field looks overmatched at this point. The two biggest threats to Conveyance are Nacho Friend and Tempted to Tapit. Classical Slew could be a pace factor-depending on what happens with him, it could have an impact on the races outcome. It’s hard to gauge how well he will run. Should be a good price, and using underneath might not be a bad idea. The final furlong in today’s Sunland Derby (GIII) should be interesting. Conveyance will try to hold off the late bids of Nacho Friend and Tempted to Tapit.
