Country Club Crush proves best in $80,000 La Senora Stakes
Country Club Crush became a two-time stakes winner when she and rider Miguel Fuentes, Jr. held off a late rally from I Am Paula Revere to win by a half-length in Monday’s 25th running of the $80,000 La Senora Stakes at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino.
Country Club Crush raced midpack in the opening quarter mile of the six-furlong event, then moved up between early leaders Mark’s Sassy Girl and American Prada. As the field turned for home, Fuentes found another gear aboard Country Club Crush who had a slim lead at the top of the lane.
The New Mexico-bred daughter of Marking kicked clear briefly then had enough to withstand jockey Olaf Hernandez aboard the late running I Am Paula Revere. The winner crossed the finish line in a time of 1 minute, 10.69 seconds.
Owned by Barbara Barton and Jay H. Barton and bred by trainer Dallas Barton, Country Club Crush came into the La Senora off a third-place finish last time out in the Lea County Stakes at Zia Park last month.
Prior to that, she was a narrow winner of the New Mexico Classic Lassie Stakes at Zia Park on Nov. 24. Monday’s win in the La Senora gives Country Club Crush three wins from five starts with earnings of more than $185,000.
Sent off at odds of 6.40-to-1, Country Club Crush paid $14.80 to her winning backers. The $2 exacta with I Am Paula Revere returned $109.60. Mark’s Sassy Girl held on to finish third while Caprock Cutie, the even-money post time favorite, finished fourth in the seven-horse field.