Marking progeny sweep 3-year-old stakes
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The stallion Marking sired both stakes winners Monday at Sunland Park, with Speed Merchant improving his record to 5 for 6 in the $80,000 Corralito Steak House and Country Club Crush taking the $80,000 La Senora.
Both races were six-furlong sprints for 3-year-olds bred in New Mexico. They are expected to produce starters for the $100,000 Red Hedeman Mile and $100,000 Peppers Pride on the Sunland Park Derby undercard Feb. 15.
Marking was the leading general sire in New Mexico in 2025, and his chief earner was Speed Merchant. In the Corralito, Speed Merchant ($2.20) tracked the opening quarter-mile of 21.98 set by Fort Sumner, then moved to the lead through a half-mile in 44.34. Speed Merchant went on to win on a fast track in 1:10.44.
Luis Valenzuela was aboard the winner for Todd Fincher, whose trainees swept the trifecta. Speed Merchant won by a half-length over stablemate Cash Waterfall. It was three lengths back in third to another stablemate, Buy Local.
Speed Merchant has now won three stakes races, including the $312,000 New Mexico State Fair Futurity in September at the Downs at Albuquerque. He is owned by Dale F. Taylor Racing.
La Senora
Country Club Crush won the second stakes race of her young career when she drove to a half-length victory over I Am Paula Revere in the La Senora. It was another three-quarters of a length back in third to Mark’s Sassy Girl.
The race was for 3-year-old fillies bred in New Mexico.
Country Club Crush ($14.80) became a stakes winner in November when she captured the $150,000 New Mexico Cup Juvenile Fillies at Zia Park. In the La Senora, she tracked the pace and went on to cover the distance on a track rated fast in 1:10.69.
Miguel Fuentes Jr. was aboard for trainer Dallas Barton, who also is the horse's breeder. Country Club Crush races for Barbara and Jay Barton.
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