New Mexico Classic Thoroughbred Showcase Preview

In advance of the Land of Enchantment Card on Tuesday, Nov. 28, which annually attracts competition from all over the country, Zia Park will showcase the best New Mexico-breds on Monday over eight races. First post is 12:05pm (MT). Stakes action begins at 1:01pm (MT).

Corrina Corrina appears unbeatable in Fillies and Mares Classic

Win-streaking Corrina Corrina is 1-5 ML for Peppers Pride New Mexico Cup Fillies and Mares Classic Stakes and the heaviest favorite on the New Mexico Classic Cup card.

Corrina Corrina comes into the Peppers Pride New Mexico Cup with a four-race win streak that include a dominant 12-length romp in the Carlos Salazar Stakes for New Mexico-bred fillies and mares, the Lincoln Stakes, Overnight Stakes, and a decisive 3 ½ length allowance victory over six furlongs last out at Zia. She is a length and a nose away from being undefeated on the year.

Corrina Corrina was second by a nose in this race last year to Our Time To Shine who drew post four for the 2023 edition.

Corrina Corrina has a lifetime record of 22: 10-9-2. She has never finished worse than fourth.

Bella Dona Seeks Return to Form in Distaff Sprint Championship

Bella Dona was undefeated in a dominant campaign that earned her champion three-year-old filly honors. That Bella Dona has yet to appear at four.

In her three starts at four, two off the board efforts sandwich a second place finish to Corrina Corrina in an Overnight Stakes at Ruidoso on Sept. 4.

A soft field which only has a combined four wins in 31 starts this year might just be exactly what Bella Dona needs to get back into her best form.

Community Leader, Milk It face off in the Juvenile Championship

Only three quarters of a length separated juvenile geldings Milk It and Community Leader in the six furlong New Mexico State Fair Thoroughbred Futurity (Black Type). In Milk It’s second start, he served Community Leader his first defeat in six races.

Community Leader was the leader of his division owing to victories in the Mountain Top New Mexico Bred Thoroughbred Futurity (Black Type) and the New Mexico-bred restricted Rio Grande Senor Thoroughbred Futurity.

Community Leader had a troubled break in the New Mexico State Fair Thoroughbred Futurity and then was drifted out five or six wide on the turn by Milk It. Milk It’s two starts have been nearly identical. In both races he bolted to the lead and never looked back.

Community Leader is the even money morning-line favorite and will break from post four. Milk It is the 8-5 second choice and will break from post two.

Champion Two Year Old Filly title up for grabs in Lassie

Mark the Winner is the 4-5 morning line favorite in the Lassie, but this eight-filly field has taken turns beating each other.

Mark the Winner was third in the Rio Grande Senorita, which was won by Mark It Down, but she has three career wins-- the most of any in this group.

Mark It Down was last seen finishing fourth in the New Mexico State Fair Thoroughbred Futurity, nearly two lengths behind maiden Way to Rule.

Make Up a Story was eighth in the NM State Fair Futurity and second in the Rio Grande Senorita but gets acclaimed jockey Joel Rosario in the saddle for the first time.

The fresh face is Ms. Pounds who will break from the rail after winning her debut two weeks ago by 2 ¾ lengths.

Sambas Mark, Let Him Be renew rivalry in Derby

Sambas Mark has had a tidy year winning five of eight starts including the Road Runner Stakes for three-year-old New Mexico-breds in July.

Let Him Be began his career in July and was undefeated until finishing second to Sambas Mark in an allowance over the course and distance on Nov. 6.

They drew right next to each other in the six furlong Derby with Sambas Mark in post one and Let Him Be in post two.

2022 Champion Two-Year-Old Gelding Storm Leader is winless at three, but has Joel Rosario in the irons. He was fifth beaten 10 lengths by Sambas Mark and Let Him Be last out. Storm Leader breaks from post six.

11-strong Sprint is wide open

11 geldings line up in the six furlong Sprint. 2022 Sprint winner Strawberry Whiskey is 6-1 on the morning line and drew post three to defend his title.

The morning line favorite is Massive Roar who after a strong spring, finished second three weeks ago in an allowance off a six month layoff. He beat four of his sprint rivals in that race.

Delbert Too beat many in this field when he won the O.D. McDonald Stakes over seven furlongs last out. He will break from post five.

Oaks lacks standout

11 three-year-old fillies will line up in the six furlong Oaks, which reflects the lack of a dominant force in the division this year.

Three fillies are in single digit odds. The favorite is 2022 champion two-year-old filly Better Believe for Todd Fincher. She secured her first win at three last out in the Petticoat Stakes over six and a half furlongs. Mama Was a Rocket, also for Todd Fincher, was second by three and a half lengths, is the second choice in the Oaks.

The third choice is Moonlight Warrior, who was third in the Petticoat. Prior to the third, Moonlight Warrior strung together back-to-back allowance wins at Ruidoso.

Nine-year-old Thunder Dome seeks repeat in Classic

Thunder Dome will try to win his second Rocky Gulch New Mexico Classic Cup Championship in his 60th career start. Thunder Dome has not won since January.

McThanks defeated Thunder Dome last out over the course and distance. It will be the 57th career start for the seven-year-old gelding.

Comet Causey, who was defeated by a nose by McThanks in the Nov. 6 allowance is also among the favored entries. He is winless in 2023.