Sunday’s closing program was led by the 65th running of the $250,000 Casa Ford/Sunland Park Stakes, where Vodka Vodka delivered a decisive performance down the stretch.
Source: Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino
Photos: Courtesy Coady Media
SUNLAND PARK, N.M. — The 2026 racing season at Sunland Park Racetrack came to a close over Easter weekend with a full slate of stakes races, highlighting both emerging young horses and proven veterans across thoroughbred and quarter horse competition.
The three-day stretch served as a culmination of the meet, featuring major stakes events, deep fields, and a mix of anticipated performances and late surges that defined the final weekend.
Final Day Headlines: Stakes Wins Cap the Season
Sunday’s closing program was led by the 65th running of the $250,000 Casa Ford/Sunland Park Stakes, where Vodka Vodka delivered a decisive performance down the stretch. Positioned near the lead early, the horse accelerated on the far turn and pulled clear to win by more than two lengths, completing the race in 1:48.12.
Photos of Vodka Vodka Courtesy Coady Media
The win capped a strong showing for the California-bred runner, who entered the race following a high-level finish at Santa Anita and added another stakes victory to a growing résumé.
Earlier on the card, Avery Place surged from midpack to capture the $175,000 Mine That Bird Derby, taking control in the final stretch and drawing away late. The victory marked just the third career start for the lightly raced three-year-old, continuing a rapid rise early in the season.
Photo of Avery Place Courtesy Coady Media
In the $100,000 New Mexico State University Stakes, Marking Canyon closed strongly on the outside to secure his second consecutive stakes win of the meet, overtaking the field in the final stretch and continuing a consistent run of form.
Photo of Marking Canyon Courtesy Coady Media
Saturday Spotlight: Young Horses Take Center Stage
Saturday’s program showcased the next generation of competitors, with multiple futurity races featuring two-year-olds early in their careers.
In the $389,493 New Mexican Spring Futurity, Bridger rallied late to win by a narrow margin in a tightly contested finish, maintaining a perfect record through his first two starts.
Photos of Bridger Courtes Coady Media
The Grade 2 $353,471 West Texas Futurity produced one of the weekend’s biggest surprises, as Lil Kool Panther held off challengers in the final strides to secure the win after breaking cleanly from the gate.
Photo of Lil Kool Panther Courtesy Coady Media
Additional stakes victories on Saturday included:
- Hendry, who pulled away late in the West Texas Juvenile Stakes
- Baby Daddy Cartel, who delivered a strong finish in the New Mexican Spring Fling
- CQ Coyame Jessy, who closed late to win the NMHBA Quarter Horse Stakes
Photos of Hendry (Bottom Right), CQ Coyame (Top Right) and Baby Daddy Cartel (Left) Courtesy Coady Media
Setting the Stage: Deep Fields Entered the Weekend
The closing weekend began with competitive fields across the board, particularly in Sunday’s featured races.
The Casa Ford/Sunland Park Stakes drew a field of 10, including multiple stakes winners with combined earnings exceeding $4.4 million, signaling one of the deepest lineups of the meet.
Similarly, the Mine That Bird Derby and NMSU Stakes featured a mix of experienced runners and rising contenders, setting up the dramatic finishes that unfolded over the weekend.
Saturday’s futurity races also featured strong qualifying performances leading into the finals, with several horses entering off fast trial times and early-season momentum.
Season Leaders Emerge
As the meet concluded, season-long consistency was reflected in the final standings.
Trainer Justin Evans secured the thoroughbred training title, edging out Dick Cappellucci based on tiebreakers after both finished with 28 wins. Jockey Luis Negron finished the season as the leading rider with 35 wins, while the leading owner title was narrowly claimed by Bob Matney.
A Weekend That Reflected the Season
From tightly contested finishes to breakout performances by younger horses, the closing weekend at Sunland Park reflected the broader arc of the 2026 season—depth in the fields, competitive balance, and a mix of established and emerging talent.
With the meet now complete, the performances over Easter weekend serve as both a conclusion to the current season and a preview of horses and connections likely to remain in focus moving forward.
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