Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino
Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026
Country Club Crush proves best in $80,000 La Senora Stakes
Country Club Crush became a two-time stakes winner when she and rider Miguel Fuentes, Jr. held off a late rally from I Am Paula Revere to win by a half-length in Monday’s 25th running of the $80,000 La Senora Stakes at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino.
Country Club Crush raced midpack in the opening quarter mile of the six-furlong event, then moved up between early leaders Mark’s Sassy Girl and American Prada. As the field turned for home, Fuentes found another gear aboard Country Club Crush who had a slim lead at the top of the lane. The New Mexico-bred daughter of Marking kicked clear briefly then had enough to withstand jockey Olaf Hernandez aboard the late running I Am Paula Revere. The winner crossed the finish line in a time of 1 minute, 10.69 seconds.
Owned by Barbara Barton and Jay H. Barton and bred by trainer Dallas Barton, Country Club Crush came into the La Senora off a third-place finish last time out in the Lea County Stakes at Zia Park last month. Prior to that, she was a narrow winner of the New Mexico Classic Lassie Stakes at Zia Park on Nov. 24. Monday’s win in the La Senora gives Country Club Crush three wins from five starts with earnings of more than $185,000.
Sent off at odds of 6.40-to-1, Country Club Crush paid $14.80 to her winning backers. The $2 exacta with I Am Paula Revere returned $109.60. Mark’s Sassy Girl held on to finish third while Caprock Cutie, the even-money post time favorite, finished fourth in the seven-horse field.
Speed Merchant prevails in thrilling edition of $80,000 Corralito Steak House Stakes
Speed Merchant called on his class in deep stretch to win Monday’s 25th running of the $80,000 Corralito Steak House Stakes by a half-length under jockey Luis Valenzuela.
The winner, trained by Todd Fincher for owner Dale F. Taylor Racing, LLC., stalked early leader Fort Sumner down the backstretch before snaring the lead from that one midway around the far turn. The 3-year-old son of Marking inched clear inside the final furlong and reached the finish line ahead of a fast-closing Cash Waterfall and jockey Oscar Andrade, Jr., stopping the timer in 1 minute, 10.44 seconds for six furlongs.
Winning for the fifth time from six career starts, Speed Merchant now has won three stakes races. Most recently, he was victorious in the Hobbs Fall Classic last month at Zia Park. Prior to that, he won the New Mexico State Fair Thoroughbred Futurity last October at Albuquerque Downs. Bred in New Mexico by Brad King & Chris Coleman, Speed Merchant has now amassed earnings of more than $315,000.
Fincher saddled the top three finishers in the Corralito Steak House Stakes with runner-up Cash Waterfall and third place finisher Buy Local. Fincher is currently one of this season’s leading trainers and has already saddled three stakes winners at the meet, including Coffee Connection in the Borderplex Stakes as well as Aye Candy in the Bold Ego Stakes.
Sent off as the prohibitive 1-to-9 favorite, Speed Merchant returned $2.20 to win. The $2 exacta with Cash Waterfall paid $7.80. Buy Local and Reads Artful Run rounded out the top four finishers.
Live racing returns to Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino on Friday. First post time each racing day is 12:25 p.m. Quarter horses are in the spotlight each Friday and Saturday while thoroughbred racing is held each Sunday and Monday during the 55-day season.
