Marking Canyon scores narrow win in Land of Enchantment Stakes
ALBUQUERQUE — Leroy A. and Maureen S. Fincher’s Marking Canyon continues to have a strong 2026 campaign, proving best after a stretch-long battle to win Sunday’s $75,000 Land of Enchantment Stakes at Albuquerque Downs.
Ridden by Aldo Arboleda for trainer Leroy Fincher, Marking Canyon stayed close to early pacesetters Ar Ya Weegee and Adiel down the backstretch of the 7 furlong event. Arboleda guided the 5-year-old son of Marking to the outside while gaining ground on the far turn.
Marking Canyon battled with Ar Ya Weegee and jockey Gabriel Medrano the length of the stretch, prevailing by a neck as the 4-to-5 post time favorite, stopping the clock in a time of 1 minute, 22.56 seconds.
Bred in New Mexico by Leroy Fincher, Marking Canyon has won four times from seven starts this year, including stakes victories at Sunland Park in both the New Mexico State University Stakes and the Albert & Henry Dominguez Memorial Stakes. He was second in the Jack Cole Stakes at SunRay Park and Casino and the Jamison Memorial Stakes at Sunland Park. Sunday’s win pads his lifetime record to 10 wins from 28 starts with earnings of more than $615,000.
Marking Canyon paid $3.60 to his winning backers. The $2 exacta with Ar Ya Weegee returned $12.20. Antonios Mark settled for third with Dave’s Enchantment rounding out the top four finishers.