Corrina Corrina adds to state-record haul with La Coneja thriller

Corrina Corrina won by a neck over Scary Cherry in a dramatic running of the $90,000 La Coneja Stakes on Friday at Sunland Park. It was another 1 1/4 lengths back to First Again in third.

The La Coneja was a six-furlong race for fillies and mares bred in New Mexico.

Corrina Corrina ($2.60), the richest New Mexico-bred Thoroughbred of all time, trailed the field early, lagging behind fractions of 22.50 seconds for the opening quarter and 44.69 for the half-mile. She raced down the center of the track on the backside, advanced six wide on the turn, and came at least six wide into the stretch. She rallied through the lane from there, covering the distance in 1:09.50 on a fast track.

Tracy Hebert was aboard for trainer Gary Cross.

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The La Coneja came one race after Corrina Corrina did not leave the starting gate in the Bold Ego at Sunland, where she reared as the gates opened. Cross said after that race that Corrina Corrina emerged from the setback in good order and would be pointed to the La Coneja.

Corrina Corrina is a 6-year-old daughter of Mr. Trieste who races for her breeder, Derrick Jenkins. She has now won 18 of 35 starts for earnings of $1,220,160. Corrina Corrina broke the state’s earnings mark, held by Rocky Gulch, on Jan. 3 after winning the New Mexico Racing Commission Handicap at Sunland.

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