Firing Line wins Sunland Derby, likely headed to Kentucky Derby

The horse Firing Line delivered on the track Sunday. He took first place in the Sunland Derby at the Sunland Park Racetrack.

The race was the 13th running of the Grade III and was worth $800 thousand.

It was a day full of horse racing, food, drink and companionship at the track. To those whose horses were racing in the derby, the day was worth so much more.

“The horse himself, he doesn’t know what odds he is but I think us as the trainers, owners, it makes us a little more anxious before the race,” trainer Simon Callaghan said. Callaghan has been working with Firing Line for 16 months.

Owners Arnold and Ellen Zetcher have a lot to be proud of. Callaghan said the horse hasn’t placed lower than second. Owners and trainer alike said the Kentucky Derby is likely next for Firing Line.

“At the gate I got a little bit worried for a second but he showed his stuff,” A. Zetcher said. “I never was worried about the horse at all. I was worried about circumstances, but not the horse. The horse is just an unbelievable horse.”

Firing Line’s 52-year-old jockey, Gary Stevens, has won the Kentucky Derby three times. Firing Line is a 3-year-old Line of David colt. Callaghan said for being such a large horse, he is certainly a gentleman and a great horse to work with.

Local horse Where’s the Moon took second and Pain and Misery won third.