Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino
Sunday, February 6, 2022
Slammed proves victorious in first start as a 4-year-old, winning $100,000 La Coneja Stakes
Exuding class with every stride, Todd Fincher, Suzanne Kirby and Brad King’s superb New Mexico-bred filly Slammed scored a convincing victory in her 4-year-old debut, pulling clear in the final yards to win Sunday’s 19th running of the $100,000 La Coneja Stakes at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino.
A five-time stakes winner, Slammed and jockey Alfredo Juarez, Jr. made it look easy in the La Coneja. An immediate factor from the start, Slammed raced just a length off the early lead set by Tight Fittin Jeans and Lemon Drop Gold through a contested opening quarter mile of 21.93 seconds.
Slammed loomed up alongside Tight Fittin Jeans and jockey Enrique Gomez midway around the far turn and gradually put her head in front as the field turned for home.
The daughter of Marking inched clear in the final sixteenth of a mile, crossing the wire 1 1/2 lengths in front, crossing the finish line in a fast final time of 1:08.54.
Sent off as the prohibitive 1-to-2 favorite, Slammed returned $3 to her winning backers.
Slammed, who has also earned stakes wins at Zia Park, the Downs at Albuquerque and Ruidoso Downs, has won seven races from nine career starts. Her most recent start was a fourth-place finish on Nov. 23 facing open company in the Zia Park Oaks.
Fincher, currently the leading trainer at Sunland Park this season with 14 wins at the meet, picked up his second stakes win of the meet. He sent out Bye Bye Matty P to victory last month in the Corralito Steak House Stakes.
The $60,000 winners share of the La Coneja purse pads the career bankroll of Slammed to more than $297,000.
Tight Fittin Jeans was gallant in saving second place, the $2 exacta with the top two finishers returned $20.60.
Proofsinthepuddin ran on late to earn third place, with Count Them Again finishing fourth.
Live racing resumes Tuesday at Sunland Park with a nine-race program that begins at 12:25p.m.
