Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino
Sunday, February 8, 2026
Souped Up Wildcat earns upset score in $80,000 La Coneja Stakes
Earning the first stakes win of her career, Souped Up Wildcat raced on the lead gate-to-wire and posted a mild upset victory in the 22nd edition of the $80,000 La Coneja Stakes under jockey Olaf Hernandez.
Trained by Simon Buechler for owners Asmussenequine.com, Gerald O. Thornton, Martin Riley, Frances Latimer and Chris W. Scott, Souped Up Wildcat raced in tandem on the front end with Mark It Down and jockey Miguel Fuentes. Those two were inseparable to the final furlong when Souped Up Wildcat finally edged clear, getting to the finish line a length ahead of her competition in a time of 1 minute, 10.13 seconds for six furlongs on a fast track.
The 4-year-old New Mexico-bred filly by Kentucky Wildcat won her most recent beating allowance company here on Jan. 19. Prior to that, Souped Up Wildcat had lost 10 straight races including second place efforts in the Petticoat Stakes at Albuquerque Downs last fall and in the New Mexico Breeders’ Oaks last year over this course.
Souped Up Wildcat was bred by Susan A. Hunter.
Sunday’s win in the La Coneja Stakes improves Souped Up Wildcat’s career ledger to four wins from 15 starts and earnings of more than $251,000.
Sent off at odds of 8.50-to-1, Souped Up Wildcat returned $19 to her winning backers. The $2 exacta with 13-to-1 longshot Mark It Down paid back $151.80. Post time favorite First Again finished third with Honky Tonk Honey finishing fourth.
Corrina Corrina, the morning line favorite in the La Coneja Stakes, was scratched earlier in the day, leaving the field in the race to just seven runners.
