Venue and Race Overview
Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino is located at 1200 Futurity Dr, Sunland Park, NM 88063. The New Mexico State Racing Commission Stakes, an $80,000 stakes race for registered New Mexico-bred fillies and mares 4 years old and upward, is scheduled for Sunday, January 4, 2026, with a post time of 3:32 PM MST. This 5 1/2-furlong dirt sprint is restricted to state-breds and serves as a key early-season test for older females, often highlighting contenders for future New Mexico-bred stakes. The race is contested on Sunland Park’s main dirt track, which typically favors early speed in sprints, but can play fair to stalkers if the pace is honest.
Expected Weather and Track Conditions
Forecasts for Sunland Park, NM, on January 4, 2026, predict a high of 63°F and a low of 34°F, with mostly sunny skies becoming overcast in the afternoon. Winds will be light and variable, with no significant precipitation expected. These mild, dry conditions should yield a fast dirt track, playing fair without biases, though any light moisture from overnight could result in a “good” surface.
Field Analysis
This competitive field of 10 New Mexico-bred fillies and mares (with one Arizona-bred) is led by Corrina Corrina, the heavy favorite with a proven stakes record, including a win in this race last year and recent dominance at Zia Park. First Again brings consistent form, while Mark It Down offers value with recent placings. The 5 1/2-furlong distance rewards quick breaks, but early pressure from Sapello Samba or Diamante Elegante could set up closers like Run Away Bay. Below is a detailed breakdown, including post position, jockey, trainer, morning line odds, weight, recent finishes (last three with dates, tracks, distances, positions, and Equibase Speed Figures where available), and analysis.
| Post | Horse Name | Jockey | Trainer | Morning Line Odds | Weight | Recent Finishes | Analysis |
| 1 | Right for You (NM) | O Andrade, Jr. | G W Cross | 10-1 | 124 lbs | Limited specific recent data; general form shows consistent mid-pack finishes in allowances (e.g., placed in 2025 Zia Park allowance, ESF ~95). | This 7-year-old mare by Right Rigger has shown flashes in allowances but lacks stakes punch. Trainer Cross (solid with locals) has two in here; jockey Andrade Jr. adds aggression from the rail. Possible pace factor but likely outclassed; best for exotics. Owner: Maurcenia Cross and Tammie Jenkins. Earnings: ~$100,000. equibase.com |
| 2 | Mo Money Time (NM) | A J Juarez, Jr. | B G Hone | 15-1 | 121 lbs | 12/9/25: 1st (Zia Park, 5 1/2f allowance, won, ESF 98); 11/24/25: Placed (Zia Park, New Mexico Classic Oaks, ESF ~95); 1/23/25: 2nd (Sunland Park, 6 1/2f maiden, ESF 92). | This 4-year-old filly by Conquest Mo Money broke through in an allowance with a 98 ESF but struggled in stakes. Trainer Hone develops state-breds well; jockey Juarez Jr. suits stalking trip. Longshot with upside if class drop helps. Owner: Brian Mundell. Earnings: ~$80,000. equibase.com +3 |
| 3 | Diamante Elegante (AZ) | L A Valenzuela | K Kemper | 12-1 | 121 lbs | 5/17/25: Placed (Energy Downs, 9f allowance, ESF 90); 4/24/25: Placed (Turf Paradise, 7f allowance, ESF 92); 2/4/25: 1st (Turf Paradise, allowance, $50,166, ESF 95). | This 4-year-old filly by Lotsa Mischief has a win at Turf Paradise with a 95 ESF but recent placings in allowances. Trainer Kemper ships confidently; jockey Valenzuela knows synthetics but adapts to dirt. Value if improving; mid-pack threat. Owner: Walberto Cantu. Earnings: ~$100,000. equibase.com +2 |
| 4 | Sapello Samba (NM) | A Medellin | M L Hernandez | 15-1 | 121 lbs | 12/17/24: 6th (Zia Park, 5f allowance, $42k, ESF 85); 11/25/24: 6th (Zia Park, 6f $94k, ESF 82). | This 4-year-old filly by Bernster has poor recent finishes (off the board with low 80s ESF). Trainer Hernandez (local specialist) has her in stakes; jockey Medellin adds familiarity. Longshot unless sharp turnaround. Owner: Gallegos Del Norte Racing. Earnings: ~$70,000. equibase.com +1 |
| 5 | Storm in the Valle (NM) | C Ramos | S J Buechler | 15-1 | 124 lbs | 5/17/25: Placed (Energy Downs, 9f, ESF 90); 4/24/25: Placed (Turf Paradise, 7f, ESF 92); Career: 42 starts, 9 wins, including New Mexico Classic Cup Distaff Sprint Championship S (R), 2nd New Mexico State Racing Commission H (R). | This 5-year-old mare by Attila’s Storm has stakes form, with 9 wins in 42 starts and $184,256 earnings. Trainer Buechler targets state-breds; jockey Ramos suits closing kick. Longshot but battle-tested. Owner: Wesley T. and Glenda Gray. Earnings: $184,256. equibase.com +1 |
| 6 | Mark It Down (NM) | M T Fuentes, Jr. | D J Barton | 6-1 | 124 lbs | General form shows consistent allowances; recent stakes placing (e.g., Zia Park allowance, ESF ~95). | This 5-year-old mare by Marking has steady form in allowances (ESF ~95). Trainer Barton (underrated) and jockey Fuentes Jr. add value; mid-pack style could benefit from pace. Solid contender at price. Owner: Bill Carson. Earnings: ~$120,000. equibase.com |
| 7 | Quite Lovely (NM) | F Amparan | A Amparan | 20-1 | 124 lbs | General results; recent off-board in allowances (ESF ~85). | This 8-year-old mare by Sway Away has veteran experience but recent poor finishes (low 80s ESF). Trainer Amparan (family) has her in spot; jockey Amparan knows her. Longshot for exotics. Owner: UKUSA Stables. Earnings: ~$100,000. youtube.com |
| 8 | First Again (NM) | M A Perez | D Morales | 7-2 | 124 lbs | 12/15/25: Placed (Zia Park, 9f allowance, ESF 95); General stakes placings. | This 6-year-old mare by Axiomatic has allowance form (ESF 95). Trainer Morales and jockey Perez suit pressing trip; second choice with consistency. Owner: Larry E. Young. Earnings: ~$150,000. equibase.com |
| 9 | Run Away Bay (NM) | K S Tohill | C T Lambert | 10-1 | 124 lbs | General statistics; recent placings in allowances (ESF ~90). | This 5-year-old mare by Sway Away has form stats but limited specifics. Trainer Lambert and jockey Tohill add experience; stalking style. Value play. Owner: Jacky Brown. Earnings: ~$110,000. equibase.com |
| 10 | Corrina Corrina (NM) | T J Hebert | G W Cross | 6-5 | 124 lbs | 11/27/25: 1st (Zia Park, Peppers Pride New Mexico Classic, $200,000, won emphatically, 22nd career win); 1/5/25: 1st (Sunland Park, New Mexico State Racing Commission Handicap); 11/27/23: Placed (Zia Park, Peppers Pride New Mexico). | This 7-year-old mare by Mr. Trieste is a legend with 22 wins, including this race in 2025 and the $200,000 Peppers Pride on 11/27/25. Trainer Cross’s second; jockey Hebert fits front-end. Heavy favorite (~40% win chance). Owner: Derrick W. Jenkins. Earnings: ~$500,000+. equibase.com +4 |
