Local favorite Runaway Ghost wins Sunland Derby

Runaway Ghost will soon be running at Churchhill Downs.

The local favorite beat the 8-1 odds to win Sunday’s Sunland Derby.

It was also a win for the horse’s owner, Joe Peacock, and trainer Todd Fincher.

Winning the Sunland Derby will help in sending Runaway Ghost to the Kentucky Derby.

The $800,000-purse race allows horses to earn up to 50 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby, virtually guaranteeing a spot at the iconic Churchill Downs.

The track at Sunland Park was a track Runaway Ghost was familiar with.

He made a strong debut at the Sunland Park Racetrack January 28, winning by more than seven lengths in the Riley Allison Stakes.

The 2017 derby saw local favorite Conquest Mo Money lose to Hence, a horse ridden by a local jockey, after being overtaken in the final few seconds of the race.