The 2026 Sunland Park horse racing meet wrapped up Saturday and Sunday with several quarter horse and thoroughbred stakes races.
Here is a look at the key performances at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino.
Avery Place wins the Mine That Bird Derby
Avery Place, who is trained by El Paso’s Dick Cappellucci, came from off the pace to win the 25th running of the $175,000, 1 1/8th miles race for 3-yeart-old thoroughbreds.
It was just the third race for Avery Place and his first at Sunland Park. But the Kentucky-bred son of Vino Rosso showed patience and a strong finish to win by nearly two lengths over Smoovin Saturday in a time of 1:51.63. Zillarro was third.
Alfredo Juarez, Jr. was the winning jockey and the winning owner was Judge Lanier Racing, LLC and H.P. Drought and Company. Avery Place has now won two of three career starts and won Sunday’s race at odds of 4-1.
“Avery Place is really improving,” Cappellucci said. “He was really sharp and Alfredo did a great job of riding the horse. We plan on running him again in the Lone Star Derby.”
Added Sandy McKenna, who is part of the ownership group: “We have high hopes for this horse and he showed his potential with a great effort.”
Vodka Vodka wins the Sunland Park Handicap
Vodka Vodka won his first ever race at Sunland Park with jockey Kent Desormeaux aboard, rolling down the stretch to win by more than two lengths in the $250,000 Sunland Park Handicap. The 2026 race marked the 65th edition of one of Sunland Park’s most prestigious races.
Trained by Aggie Ordonez for owners McLean Racing Stables, Connie Baker, Jerry Baker and Ordonez, Vodka Vodka was close to the lead down the backstretch while contesting the pace alongside Malarchuk and Heroic Move. As the field raced around the far turn, Desormeaux asked the California-bred son of Vino Rosso for another gear. The pair opened up on their rivals in the final yards, crossing the finish line in 1:48.12 over 1 1/8th miles.
Vodka Vodka, who finished in the Santa Anita Handicap on March 7, has now won five of 13 starts. He was the even money favorite for the Sunland Park Handicap.
“Vodka Vodka ran great and handled the track well,” Desormeaux said. “He ran big in the Santa Anita Handicap and was sharp for this race.”
Malarchuk was second and Bearings was third.
Marking Canyon wins New Mexico State University Stakes
Marking Canyon picked up his second straight win and second stakes win of the Sunland Park season, prevailing in the 23rd running of the $100,000 New Mexico State University Stakes under jockey Aldo Arboleda.
Marking Canyon is trained by Leroy Fincher. The winning time was 1:41.26 over the mile and 70 yard distance. Corrina Corrina, who was seeking her 23rd career win was second.
“Marking Canyon really ran well during the Sunland meet,” Arboleda. “He’s a great horse.”
Lil Kool Panther wins West Texas Futurity at odds of 21-1
Lil Kool Panther, ridden by Jesse Levario, scored a upset win in the 66th edition of the Grade 2 $353,471 West Texas Futurity for trainer Alberto Amparan.
The Texas-bred colt by Lil Kool Wagon broke well from the gate and had something left in the final yards to hold off an oncoming Tempting Lu at the wire, winning by a neck and racing 300 yards in a time of 15.32 seconds.
Felix F. Chavezcan be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on x
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino wraps up 2026 horse racing meet
Reporting by Felix F. Chavez, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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