Race Overview
The Harry Henson Stakes is scheduled for Sunday, February 15, 2026, at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino in Sunland Park, New Mexico. This venue, located near the borders of Texas and Mexico just outside El Paso, features a one-mile dirt oval and is known for its winter racing meet, including high-profile events like the Sunland Derby. The track’s dirt surface often plays favorably to speed, but can reward tactical closers in mile races with a contested pace.
The race is Race 8 on a 10-race card packed with stakes action, with a scheduled post time of 3:44 PM MT (5:44 PM ET). It’s open to fillies and mares 4 years old and up, contested over one mile on dirt, with a purse of $100,000. Lasix is not permitted, and weights are 121 lbs for 4-year-olds and 124 lbs for older. This stakes typically draws a mix of local standouts and shippers, with preference given to lifetime earnings. No equipment changes are noted in the entries.
Expected weather conditions in Sunland Park on February 15, based on forecasts, include mostly cloudy skies with a high of 73°F and a low around 42°F. Winds from the southwest at 8-10 mph, humidity around 22%, and no chance of precipitation (0%). The track should be fast and dry, with the overcast conditions potentially keeping the surface consistent and favoring horses with route stamina.
The field of seven includes defending champion Corrina Corrina as the favorite, with strong support from trainers like Todd Fincher (dual entrants) and Steve Asmussen. Pace looks moderate, with several stalkers likely to benefit from any early duel.
Field Analysis (By Post Position)
A Thousand Miles (KY)
- Post Position: 1
- Morning Line Odds: 3/1
- Jockey: Glenn W. Corbett (local veteran with a 16% win rate at Sunland; excels in ground-saving rides from inside posts).
- Trainer: Bart G. Hone (consistent ~15% wins; good with developing fillies in regional stakes).
- Breeding: Thousand Words – Swiss Army Wife (by Colonel John). Sire brings graded route talent, dam adds durability.
- Recent Finishes: Improving 4-year-old. Last out: 1st in allowance optional claiming (1m dirt, fast) at Turf Paradise on 1/15/2026, Equibase Speed Figure (ESF) 94, wire-to-wire. Before: 2nd in optional claiming (7f dirt, fast) at Turf Paradise on 12/20/2025, ESF 92; 3rd in stakes (1m dirt, good) at Zia Park on 11/25/2025, ESF 90; 1st in maiden (6 1/2f dirt, fast) at Turf Paradise on 10/10/2025. Track conditions: Mix of fast and good dirt.
- Analysis: Respected at 3/1 as second choice. The rail draw is perfect for her front-running style, allowing Corbett to control the pace. Hone’s barn has her peaking, and breeding suggests she’ll handle the mile well. If the track stays fast under clouds, she’s a wire threat; strong win candidate.
Aye Candy (KY)
- Post Position: 2
- Morning Line Odds: 6/1
- Jockey: Christian Ramos (up-and-coming with 13% wins; tactical in mid-pack roles).
- Trainer: Todd W. Fincher (meet leader ~25% wins; excels with mares in stakes).
- Breeding: Candy Ride (ARG) – Rose’s Desert (by Desert God). Sire imparts class and stamina, dam local dirt speed.
- Recent Finishes: Consistent performer. Last out: 3rd in allowance (1m dirt, fast) at Sunland on 1/18/2026, ESF 91, rallying late. Before: 1st in optional claiming (7f dirt, fast) at Zia Park on 12/15/2025, ESF 93; 2nd in stakes (1m dirt, fast) at Zia Park on 11/10/2025, ESF 90; 4th in allowance (6 1/2f dirt, good) at Albuquerque on 9/20/2025. Track conditions: Primarily fast dirt.
- Analysis: Value at 6/1 from a good stalking post. Fincher’s first entrant has shown route affinity, and Ramos can exploit ground savings. Pedigree blends speed and endurance; dry conditions favor her. Exotic contender if pace sets up.
Wild Bout Hilary (KY)
- Post Position: 3
- Morning Line Odds: 5/1
- Jockey: Cristian A. Torres (talented with 17% wins; strong closer in routes).
- Trainer: Rob Atras (solid 18% wins; good with shippers from Midwest).
- Breeding: Midnight Lute – Wild Bout Tiffany (by Wildcat Heir). Sire offers closing punch, dam sprint grit.
- Recent Finishes: Graded experience. Last out: 4th in optional claiming (1m dirt, fast) at Oaklawn on 1/10/2026, ESF 89, even effort. Before: 1st in allowance (7f dirt, fast) at Churchill Downs on 11/28/2025, ESF 95; 3rd in stakes (1 1/16m dirt, good) at Keeneland on 10/15/2025, ESF 92; 2nd in optional claiming (1m dirt, fast) at Belmont on 9/5/2025. Track conditions: Fast and good dirt.
- Analysis: Intriguing at 5/1. Shipper with class drops; post allows a clean stalking trip. Atras preps well for these spots, and Torres’ finishing kick fits. If winds keep dust down, her late run could prevail.
Practical Dream (KY)
- Post Position: 4
- Morning Line Odds: 8/1
- Jockey: Juan J. Hernandez (elite ship-in, 22% wins; tactical genius).
- Trainer: Justin R. Evans (high-percentage ~20% wins; strong with claimers-turned-stakes).
- Breeding: Practical Joke – Imforeal (by In Excess (IRE)). Sire precocity, dam California speed.
- Recent Finishes: Progressing. Last out: 2nd in allowance (7f dirt, fast) at Sunland on 1/25/2026, ESF 90, game. Before: 1st in optional claiming (1m dirt, fast) at Turf Paradise on 12/10/2025, ESF 92; 5th in stakes (7f dirt, good) at Los Alamitos on 11/5/2025, ESF 88; 1st in claiming (6 1/2f dirt, fast) at Santa Anita on 10/1/2025. Track conditions: Fast and good.
- Analysis: Live longshot at 8/1. Evans claimed and improved her; Hernandez’s presence boosts. Mid-pack draw suits stalking; breeding for mile. Dry track enhances; worth exotics.
Lookinforbargains (KY)
- Post Position: 5
- Morning Line Odds: 9/2
- Jockey: Olaf Hernandez (patient 15% wins; fits closers).
- Trainer: Todd W. Fincher (see above; dual entry shows confidence).
- Breeding: Practical Joke – Mixed Up Kid (by Lemon Drop Kid). Sire humor with speed, dam stamina.
- Recent Finishes: Veteran in form. Last out: 1st in optional claiming (1m dirt, fast) at Sunland on 1/4/2026, ESF 93, dominant. Before: 3rd in stakes (7f dirt, fast) at Zia Park on 12/1/2025, ESF 91; 1st in allowance (1m dirt, good) at Albuquerque on 10/20/2025, ESF 94; 2nd in optional claiming (7f dirt, fast) at Sunland on 9/15/2025. Track conditions: Fast and good.
- Analysis: Solid at 9/2. Fincher’s second string loves Sunland (multiple wins); post allows options. Consistent ESFs (90+); overcast mild weather suits her even pace. Key player.
Corrina Corrina (NM)
- Post Position: 6
- Morning Line Odds: 2/1
- Jockey: Tracy J. Hebert (stakes veteran, 18% wins; knows this mare well).
- Trainer: Gary W. Cross (reliable ~16% wins; specializes in NM-breds).
- Breeding: Mr. Trieste – Scared Money (by Carson City). Sire local stamina, dam class.
- Recent Finishes: Record-setter with 22 wins/43 starts. Last out: 2nd in NM State Racing Commission Stakes (1m dirt, fast) at Sunland on 1/11/2026, ESF 96, strong close. Before: 1st in Harry Henson Stakes (1m dirt, fast) at Sunland on 2/16/2025 (defending), by 4 lengths, ESF 98; 1st in stakes (7f dirt, fast) at Zia Park on 12/10/2025, ESF 97; 1st in allowance (1m dirt, good) at Albuquerque on 11/5/2025. Track conditions: Fast and good dirt.
- Analysis: Favorite at 2/1, and deserved. Local star with 9 wins in 15 Sunland starts; outside post suits stalking. Cross/Hebert combo lethal; high ESFs dominate. Fast track favors; top pick.
Gloryibee (KY)
- Post Position: 7
- Jockey: Keith J. Asmussen (young talent, 16% wins; family expertise).
- Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen (Hall of Famer, 25%+ wins; ships winners).
- Breeding: Curlin – Cabo Queen (by More Than Ready). Sire elite routes, dam speed.
- Recent Finishes: Upside 4-year-old. Last out: 3rd in allowance (1 1/16m dirt, fast) at Oaklawn on 1/24/2026, ESF 88, rallying. Before: 1st in optional claiming (1m dirt, fast) at Fair Grounds on 12/20/2025, ESF 91; 4th in stakes (1m dirt, good) at Churchill on 11/15/2025, ESF 87; 2nd in maiden (7f dirt, fast) at Keeneland on 10/10/2025. Track conditions: Fast and good.
- Analysis: Outsider at 12/1, but Asmussen’s shipper has class. Wide post requires rally; breeding screams mile. If pace melts, her kick lives; value in exotics.
