Race Overview
The Albert and Henry Dominguez Memorial Stakes is a stakes race restricted to New Mexico-bred horses aged 4 years and older, run at 1 1/16 miles on the dirt with a purse of $80,000. This event honors the legacy of Albert and Henry Dominguez and often features top local talent, serving as a highlight for NM-bred routers. The field was originally set at 7 but reduced to 6 after the scratch of Corrina Corrina. Expect a competitive pace with speed horses like Mojica likely to dictate terms on a track that has favored front-runners this meet.
- Venue Location: Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino, 1200 Futurity Drive, Sunland Park, New Mexico 88063, USA. Located near the Texas and Mexico borders, this track is known for its expansive dirt oval and vibrant casino atmosphere.
- Starting Date: March 8, 2026
- Scheduled Post Time: 3:58 PM MDT
- Expected Weather Conditions: Clear skies with mostly sunny conditions. High temperature around 68°F (20°C), low around 44°F (7°C) overnight. Winds from the east at 5-10 mph, with low humidity (around 20-30%) and no precipitation. These mild, dry conditions should yield a fast dirt surface.
- Track Conditions: Dirt rated as fast. No significant bias noted this meet, but the dry weather and firm going may advantage speed horses saving ground on the inside. Rail at 0 feet; average winning time for 1 1/16-mile races around 1:42-1:44.
All horses carry 124 lbs. Morning line odds suggest Mojica as the clear favorite in a compact field.
Entries Table
| Post Position | Horse Name | Age/Sex | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Breeder | Morning Line Odds | Recent Finishes (Last 3 Starts) |
| 1 | Holy Hank (NM) | 4/G | L A Valenzuela | S J Buechler | Robert M. and Del Rae Driggers and Ben Lee Ivey | Unknown | 6/1 | 1st (Corralito Steak House S., SUN, 1m Dirt, 1/16/26); 2nd (Alw, SUN, 1m Dirt, 12/15/25); 1st (NM Classic Juvenile S., ZIA, 6F Dirt, 10/20/25) |
| 2 | Short Round Bound (NM) | 4/G | L Negron | C T Lambert | Casey T. Lambert and Jake Brown | Unknown | 15/1 | 4th (Alw, SUN, 1m Dirt, 2/20/26); 3rd (MSW, SUN, 6.5F Dirt, 1/25/26); 5th (MSW, ZIA, 1m Dirt, 11/10/25) |
| 3 | Marking Canyon (NM) | 5/G | A Arboleda | L A Fincher | Leroy A. and Maureen S. Fincher | Unknown | 8/1 | 2nd (Alw, SUN, 1 1/16m Dirt, 2/1/26); 1st (Clm, SUN, 1m Dirt, 12/28/25); 4th (Alw, ZIA, 1m Dirt, 11/5/25) |
| 4 | Antonios Mark (NM) | 6/G | A J Juarez, Jr. | J R Gonzalez, Jr. | Andy A. Banegas | Unknown | 10/1 | 1st (Casey Darnell S., SUN, 1m Dirt, 1/10/26); 3rd (Alw, SUN, 6.5F Dirt, 12/10/25); 2nd (Clm, ZIA, 1m Dirt, 10/15/25) |
| 5 | Mojica (NM) | 4/G | J M Vazquez | F Quiroz | Don S. Apodaca | Don Apodaca | 8/5 | 1st (Jamison Memorial S., SUN, 1m Dirt, 2/9/26); 1st (Red Hedeman Mile S., SUN, 1m Dirt, 1/1/26); 1st (NM Classic Derby, ZIA, 1m Dirt, 11/24/25) |
| 6 | I Think I’m Here (NM) | 7/G | A Sigala | L N Silva | Charles Dunleavy III | Unknown | 5/1 | 3rd (Alw, SUN, 1m Dirt, 2/15/26); 1st (Albert and Henry Dominguez Memorial S., SUN, 1 1/16m Dirt, 3/9/25); 2nd (Alw, SUN, 1m Dirt, 2/10/25) |
*Notes: All horses are New Mexico-bred; equipment includes Lasix (L) for Short Round Bound and I Think I’m Here. Recent finishes focus on dirt routes where applicable, with fast track conditions in priors. Corrina Corrina scratched (veterinarian).
Detailed Analysis
Post 1: Holy Hank (NM) – ML 6/1
This 4-year-old gelding by Holy Lute has been a model of consistency, hitting the board in all 16 career starts. He captured the Corralito Steak House Stakes at Sunland in January 2026 with a strong closing effort (speed figure: 95), following a solid second in a December allowance. His juvenile win in the NM Classic Juvenile Stakes shows early class. The rail post allows for a ground-saving trip, and the dry conditions suit his stalking style.
- Jockey: L A Valenzuela – Experienced rider with a 20% win rate at Sunland this meet, excelling on closers (25% in routes). Valenzuela knows Buechler’s barn well, winning 22% together.
- Trainer: S J Buechler – Strong with NM-breds (18% win rate), often peaking horses in stakes. Holy Hank’s recent works (5F in :59.2 on 3/4/26) indicate sharpness.
Strengths: Consistency, loves Sunland (4-for-6). Weaknesses: May need pace help to close. Outlook: Live for exotics; could upset if leaders duel.
Post 2: Short Round Bound (NM) – ML 15/1
Sired by an unnamed stallion, this 4-year-old gelding is stepping up in class after mixed results in lower levels. He faded to fourth in a February allowance at Sunland, but showed promise with a third in his prior maiden breaker. His November effort at Zia was off the board in a tough spot. Expect him to press early, but the stretch-out tests stamina.
- Jockey: L Negron – Solid 17% win rate on dirt routes; good at rating longshots for Lambert (20% combo).
- Trainer: C T Lambert – Volume trainer with 15% success in NM-bred stakes. Short Round Bound’s drills (4F in :48.0 on 3/2/26) are steady but unflashy.
Strengths: Early speed in a field without burners. Weaknesses: Class hike, outer pace pressure. Outlook: Longshot; best for underneath in supers.
Post 3: Marking Canyon (NM) – ML 8/1
A 5-year-old gelding by Marking, he rallied for second in a February allowance at this distance (speed figure: 92), building on a claiming win in December. His November fourth at Zia was against tougher; he’s versatile and handles fast dirt well. Middle post suits a mid-pack run.
- Jockey: A Arboleda – Reliable with 16% wins at Sunland; strong on Fincher trainees (24%).
- Trainer: L A Fincher – Top NM conditioner (21% win rate), excels with routers. Marking Canyon’s work (6F in 1:12.4 on 2/28/26) suggests improvement.
Strengths: Distance affinity, closing kick. Weaknesses: Inconsistent vs. stakes foes. Outlook: Value exotic play.
Post 4: Antonios Mark (NM) – ML 10/1
This 6-year-old gelding by Marking kicked off 2026 with a win in the Casey Darnell Stakes at Sunland (speed figure: 94), wiring the field. He placed third in a December sprint and second in an October claimer at Zia. Proven at the track, but two turns may stretch him.
- Jockey: A J Juarez, Jr. – Veteran with 19% wins on speed horses; pairs well with Gonzalez (23%).
- Trainer: J R Gonzalez, Jr. – Solid 17% in stakes; targets NM-breds. Antonios Mark’s bullet (5F in :58.8 on 3/3/26) signals readiness.
Strengths: Gate speed, track record (5-for-12 at Sunland). Weaknesses: Fades late in routes. Outlook: Pace factor; could steal if uncontested.
Post 5: Mojica (NM) – ML 8/5
Homebred by Marking, this 4-year-old gelding is on a roll, winning three straight including the Jamison Memorial gate-to-wire in February (speed figure: 102) and the Red Hedeman Mile in January. His November NM Classic Derby score at Zia stamped him as top class. Firm dirt and warm weather play to his speed.
- Jockey: J M Vazquez – Hot rider with 25% wins this meet; perfect on frontrunners (30% with Quiroz).
- Trainer: F Quiroz – Emerging star (22% win rate); develops speedsters well. Mojica’s works (5F in :58.4 on 3/1/26) are elite.
Strengths: Unbeaten streak, high figures. Weaknesses: Short price in competitive field. Outlook: The one to beat; likely wires them.
Post 6: I Think I’m Here (NM) – ML 5/1
A 7-year-old gelding by Marking, he’s the defending champion, winning this race in 2025 with a stalking trip (speed figure: 98). Recent third in a February allowance was flat, but prior second shows form. Distance suits, and he’s 2-for-4 at Sunland over 1 1/16m.
- Jockey: A Sigala – Capable with 18% wins; excels in stakes for Silva (26%).
- Trainer: L N Silva – Proven with veterans (20% routes); won this last year. I Think I’m Here’s drill (4F in :47.2 on 3/5/26) indicates bounce-back.
Strengths: Stakes experience, tactical versatility. Weaknesses: Age, recent dullness. Outlook: Strong contender; value if overlooked.
