Quatro, with Bella Dona scratched, surges in La Coneja

A horse trained by Simon Buechler and ridden by Luis Fuentes won the $100,000 La Coneja on Sunday at Sunland Park – but not the one most expected.

Quatro became a stakes winner in the La Coneja, a race from which her stablemate, Bella Dona, was scratched. Bella Dona has won her last nine starts, all in stakes, and would have been a strong favorite Sunday.

Quatro ($18.20) instead carried the torch for the barn, taking the lead after a half-mile in 45.34 seconds and going on to cover the six furlongs for New Mexico-bred fillies and mares in 1:09.39.

Quatro won by a length over favorite Corrina Corrina, while it was another half-length back in third to Bikini Time.

Quatro is a daughter of Mr. Gold Mover. She races for Robert M. Driggers and Ben Lee Ivy, who also are co-owners of Bella Dona in partnership with Del Rae Driggers.

Quatro has now won 5 of 20 starts and earned $172,852.

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