Corrina Corrina leaves no doubt in Peppers Pride New Mexico Classic
HOBBS – Winning for a remarkable 22nd time in her career, Corrina Corrina rolled to an emphatic victory Monday in the $200,000 Peppers Pride New Mexico Classic Stakes at Zia Park.
The 6-year-old mare by Mr. Trieste was last early under jockey Tracy Hebert, chasing pacesetting Matilda’s Mark through a moderate pace of 50.23 seconds for the opening half-mile. Corrina Corrina swept up alongside the leader midway around the far turn and took command passing the final furlong before rolling to a 4 3/4 length triumph, stopping the clock in a time of 1 minute, 39.07 seconds for the mile over a fast track.
Owned and bred in New Mexico by Derrick Jenkins and trained by Gary Cross, Corrina Corrina becomes the winningest New Mexico-bred thoroughbred of all time, surpassing Yulla Yulla, who had the mark with 21 career victories. Monday’s win puts Corrina Corrina in lofty territory among the nation’s all-time winningest thoroughbreds.
Corrina Corrina has now tied 1978 Triple Crown winner Affirmed for fourth on the all-time list of winningest thoroughbred racehorses in America, trailing only John Henry (39 wins), Forego (34 wins) and Buckpasser (25 wins) in that elite company according to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.
Monday’s win in the Peppers Pride New Mexico Classic Stakes is her third consecutive win in this race. She reached the winners circle in each of the last two runnings of this race and has now won six times from 12 starts at Zia Park.
In her career, Corrina Corrina has 22 wins from 42 starts with earnings of more than $1.51 million, which also ranks her first among all-time statebred money earning thoroughbreds.
Mr. Trieste, a 15-time winner on the racetrack, has also sired Jet N G, who earned more than $516,000 winning eight times from 59 starts including the 2021 Rocky Gulch New Mexico Classic Championship Stakes.
Sent off as the even-money favorite, Corrina Corrina returned $4 to her winning backers. The $2 exacta with Matilda’s Mark paid $5.