‘Hence’ wins Sunland Derby following local horse ‘Conquest Mo Money’

Hence closed with a great flourish to stamp his ticket for the Kentucky Derby after winning the 14th running of the $800,000 Sunland Derby (Gr. III) by an expansive three and three-quarter lengths at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino on Sunday.

The rapidly improving Street Boss colt trained by Steve Asmussen earned 50 qualifying points to the Kentucky Derby in front of robust crowd of 16,039 enthusiastic fans.

Hence put a neck in front and gradually pulled away from the local horse in Conquest Mo Money. In the final stretch, the battle was won and Hence stopped the clock in a fast 1:48.10, just missing the track record of 1:47.37 held by Proceed since 2015.

While ‘Mo Money’ wasn’t able to earn those 50 qualifying points, there was still a local tie with ‘Hence’s’ jockey, Alfredo Juarez Jr.

Juarez Jr is from the Borderland and said this win is the biggest yet.

“Oh my god this is the biggest day in my life and in my career,” Juarez Jr. said. “I mean I have been riding everywhere, New York, Chicago, and just waiting for that moment and this day, and in my home own it’s just a fantastic day and it’s amazing.”

Conquest Mo Money earned 20 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby, while suffering his first loss in his young racing career.