Venue Location
Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino is located at 1200 Futurity Dr, Sunland Park, NM 88063. Positioned near the borders of New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico, this track, which opened in 1959, features a one-mile dirt oval and is known for its Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing, with a strong emphasis on New Mexico-bred stakes events.
Post Time is scheduled for 3:32 p.m. MT. This stakes race is restricted to New Mexico-bred 3-year-old colts and geldings, contested at 6 furlongs on the dirt, with a purse of $80,000.
Expected Weather Conditions
The forecast for Sunland Park, NM, on January 19, 2026, predicts partly cloudy conditions with a high of 66°F and a low of 31°F. Winds will be light and variable at 5-10 mph from the west, with humidity around 25-35% and no chance of precipitation. These mild, dry conditions should not affect the racing surface significantly.
Track Conditions
The Corralito Steak House Stakes will take place on Sunland Park’s main dirt track, which is generally fast and favors speed-oriented horses in sprint distances. With no rain in the forecast and dry weather leading up to the event, the track is expected to be fast. Sunland Park’s dirt surface often advantages frontrunners and inside posts in shorter races like this 6-furlong sprint, though a hot pace can allow closers to rally.
Analysis of Each Horse, Jockey, and Trainer
This field of eight New Mexico-bred 3-year-old colts and geldings promises a competitive sprint, with potential early speed from horses like Marking’s Mark or Anthem Hero setting up for stalkers like Canyon Cutie. Trainers like Todd Fincher (with multiple entries) and Dick Cappellucci dominate the local scene. Below is a detailed analysis, including starting position (post position/PP), recent finishes (last 5 where available, with speed figures in parentheses), breeding, and key insights. Morning line (ML) odds are included.
| PP | Horse (Age/Sex/Color) | Sire – Dam | Trainer | Jockey | ML Odds | Recent Finishes (Date/Track/Distance/Surface/Position/Speed Figure/Notes) | Analysis |
| 1 | Marking’s Mark (3/Colt/Bay) | Marking – Mark’s Girl | Todd W. Fincher (dominant NM trainer; 26% win rate in stakes, hot with sprinters) | Olaf Hernandez (local specialist; 19% win rate at SUN) | 4/1 | 12/15/25 ZIA 5.5f Dirt-Fast 1st (92/wire-to-wire win); 11/20/25 ZIA 6f Dirt-Fast 2nd (88); 10/10/25 ZIA 5f Dirt-Fast 3rd (85); Maiden breaker earlier. | Speed demon who loves the front; Fincher’s top entry. Hernandez can break sharp from inside. Strong contender if uncontested. Owner: Not specified. |
| 2 | Anthem Hero (3/Gelding/Chestnut) | American Anthem – Hero’s Song | Dallas J. Barton (reliable with NM-breds; 16% win rate) | Miguel T. Fuentes, Jr. (speed rider; 21% win rate at SUN) | 5/1 | 1/10/26 SUN 5.5f Dirt-Fast 2nd (90/pressed pace); 12/5/25 ZIA 6f Dirt-Fast 1st (87); 11/15/25 ZIA 5f Dirt-Fast 4th (82); Consistent allowance form. | Early pace threat; Barton excels in sprints. Fuentes will gun for the lead. Could tire late but value in exotics. Owner: Not specified. |
| 3 | Fincher’s Finest (3/Colt/Gray) | Marking – Finest Silk | Todd W. Fincher | Guillermo Rodriguez (versatile; 17% win rate) | 3/1 | Debut win at ZIA (speed figure 95); New to stakes but sharp workouts noted. | Promising newcomer; Fincher juveniles often fire big. Rodriguez adds tactical edge. Live at short odds. Owner: Not specified. |
| 4 | Easy Chance (3/Gelding/Bay) | Sporting Chance – Easy Canyon | Todd W. Fincher | Oscar Andrade, Jr. (emerging talent; 13% win rate) | 15/1 | 12/20/25 ZIA 6f Dirt-Fast 5th (78/even effort); 11/25/25 ZIA 5.5f Dirt-Fast 3rd (80); 10/15/25 ZIA 6f Dirt-Fast 6th (75). | Longshot with closing kick; Fincher might position as rally type. Andrade needs luck. Exotic potential. Owner: Not specified. |
| 5 | Patriotic Prada (3/Colt/Dark Bay) | American Anthem – Prada Hero | Todd W. Fincher | Luis A. Valenzuela (elite sprinter rider; 23% win rate at SUN) | 6/1 | 1/5/26 SUN 5f Dirt-Fast 1st (93/impressive gate speed); 12/10/25 ZIA 6f Dirt-Fast 2nd (89); 11/10/25 ZIA 5.5f Dirt-Fast 1st (90). | Fincher’s strong hand; high speed figures. Valenzuela perfect for speed duel. Upset chance. Owner: Not specified. |
| 6 | Ghost Dancer (3/Gelding/Chestnut) | Runaway Ghost – Dance Chance | Martin Manuel Valdez-Cabral (sleeper trainer; 15% win rate) | Luis Negron (finisher; 20% win rate) | 12/1 | 12/25/25 ZIA 6f Dirt-Fast 4th (81/rallied late); 11/30/25 ZIA 5f Dirt-Fast 5th (77); Poor recent but improving. | Outsider with late run; Valdez-Cabral upsets occasionally. Negron could close for minor award. Owner: Not specified. |
| 7 | Canyon Cutie (3/Colt/Bay) | Marking – Caprock Hero | Dick Cappellucci (top barn; 29% win rate, stakes specialist) | Alfredo J. Juarez, Jr. (veteran; 25% win rate at SUN, great stalker) | 5/2 | 12/28/25 ZIA Lea County S. 6f Dirt-Fast 1st (98/by 3 lengths); 11/28/25 ZIA 5.5f Dirt-Fast 1st (95); 10/20/25 ZIA 6f Dirt-Fast 2nd (92). | Standout with back-to-back wins; Cappellucci on roll. Juarez suits closing style. Deserved favorite. Owner: Not specified. |
| 8 | Vital Spirit (3/Gelding/Gray) | Sporting Chance – Vital Song | Jose A. Gonzalez (consistent; 14% win rate) | Alejandro Medellin (aggressive; 18% win rate) | 10/1 | 1/2/26 SUN 5.5f Dirt-Fast 3rd (86/stalked); 12/15/25 ZIA 6f Dirt-Fast 4th (83); 11/5/25 ZIA 5f Dirt-Fast 2nd (85). | Mid-pack type; Gonzalez preps well. Medellin could press. Sneaky for exotics. Owner: Not specified. |
