Caprock Cutie, ridden by Elvin Gonzalez, crosses the finish line in front in the Lea County Stakes, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025 at Zia Park Racetrack and Casino. (Coady Media)
Caprock Cutie, ridden by Elvin Gonzalez, crosses the finish line in front in the Lea County Stakes, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025 at Zia Park Racetrack and Casino. (Coady Media)Coady Media

SUNLAND PARK – Trainer Todd Fincher is set to dominate Monday’s program at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino, saddling as many as nine runners across two $80,000 stakes races for New Mexico-bred 3-year-olds.

The featured events, the 25th runnings of the Corralito Steak House Stakes and the La Senora Stakes, anchor a strong program.

Corralito Steak House Stakes

In the Corralito, Fincher will send out five of the eight runners, led by 6-5 morning-line favorite Speed Merchant. The son of Marking is seeking his second straight win and third career stakes victory.

Owned by Dale F. Taylor Racing LLC, Speed Merchant is coming off a 9-length win in last month’s Hobbs Fall Classic. He will break from post 6 with regular jockey Luis Valenzuela.

Fincher’s contingent also includes 4-1 second choice Cash Waterfall, who finished second to Speed Merchant in the Hobbs Fall Classic. Cash Waterfall will be ridden by Oscar Andrade Jr. from post 5. Fincher’s other entries include 9-2 third choice Buy Local, as well as long shots Risk Capital and Country Club Sport.

The Corralito is scheduled as the eighth race with a post time of 3:32 p.m.

La Senora Stakes

The $80,000 La Senora Stakes for 3-year-old fillies features a showdown between Caprock Cutie and Country Club Crush.

Caprock Cutie, trained by Dick Cappellucci, is the 2-1 morning-line favorite. The Marking filly won the Lea County Stakes by 4 1/2 lengths on Dec. 16 and will break from the outside post Monday with jockey Alfredo Juarez Jr.

Trainer Dallas Barton will counter with Country Club Crush (7-2), who narrowly won the New Mexico Classic Lassie Stakes in November before finishing second in the Lea County. She will be ridden by Miguel J. Fuentes Jr. from post 2.

Fincher’s strongest threat in this field of seven is Mark’s Sassy Girl (5-2). After losing her jockey at the start of her last race, she returns to the gate under Guillermo Rodriguez from post 3. Fincher also saddles I Am Paula Revere (3-1), a daughter of American Anthem coming off a 5-length maiden victory.

The La Senora is slated as the seventh race with a post time of 3:04 p.m.

Monday Stakes Lineups

$80,000 La Senora Stakes (Race 7)1. I Am Paula Revere (3-1), Olaf Hernandez2. Country Club Crush (7-2), Miguel Fuentes Jr.3. Mark’s Sassy Girl (5-2), Guillermo Rodriguez4. Who Said It’s Easy (20-1), Oscar Andrade Jr.5. American Prada (8-1), Luis Valenzuela6. Trump Dance (20-1), Luis Negron7. Caprock Cutie (2-1), Alfredo Juarez Jr.

$80,000 Corralito Steak House Stakes (Race 8)1. Reads Artful Run (20-1), Enrique Gomez2. Risk Capital (12-1), Olaf Hernandez3. Buy Local (9-2), Guillermo Rodriguez4. Cowboy Campfire (6-1), Miguel Perez5. Cash Waterfall (4-1), Oscar Andrade Jr.6. Speed Merchant (6-5), Luis Valenzuela7. Fort Sumner (5-1), Luis Negron8. Country Club Sport (20-1), Ken Tohill