Corrina Corrina seeks to extend win streak in $75,000 Commissioners Stakes
FARMINGTON — While already well-established as the all-time wins and earnings leader among New Mexico-bred thoroughbreds, Corrina Corrina is hoping to extend her current win streak when she goes into the starting gate in Sunday’s $75,000 San Juan County Commissioners Stakes, the highlight of the closing day program at SunRay Park and Casino.
With more than $1.65 million in earnings and 24 wins under her belt, the 7-year-old Mr. Trieste mare is ducking no challengers in the 1 1/8 mile contest, as she faces open company and males in her third start in this race. Owned by Derrick Jenkins and trained by Gary Cross, Corrina Corrina won the Commissioners Stakes in 2024 and finished third in the race last year.
Corrina Corrina is coming off back-to-back wins in stakes races over this course. She won the Russell and Helen Foutz Distaff Stakes here on April 12, then wheeled back 13 days later to beat the boys in the Jack Cole Stakes, both races were restricted to state-bred company.
In eight starts at SunRay Park and Casino, Corrina Corrina has never finished off the board, with four wins, two seconds and two third-place efforts under her belt. She is no stranger to tackling open company, having recently finished second behind Aye Candy last March at Sunland Park in the Harry Henson Stakes, a race she won in 2025. She has won three of her last six races at a distance of a mile or more.
Slated to be ridden by her regular pilot Tracy Hebert, Corrina Corrina will break from post six in the 10-horse field in the Commissioners Stakes, which will be run as the ninth race on Sunday’s 10-race program with a post time of 4;35 p.m.
Alfredo Alvarado’s Bender, an eight-time winner who has earned nearly $401,000, is among the leading challengers for Corrina Corrina. Trained by Martin Valdez-Cabral, the Kentucky-bred son of Curlin is looking to end a two-race losing streak. He was a close second behind Mine That Star in last year’s Commissioners Stakes and is winless in three starts at SunRay and winless in six starts at Sunday’s distance.
Bender, breaking from the rail in the Commissioners Stakes, will be ridden by Oscar Andrade, Jr.
Trainer Greg Green, currently near the top of the standings at the current SunRay meet, will send out Bye, also looking for his third straight win. The Kentucky-bred son of Mark Valeski is a perfect 2-for-2 over the course, but has never run at the 9-furlong distance. Bye will break from post nine in the race with Miguel Perez in the irons.
The field, with riders for the $75,000 San Juan County Commissioners Stakes:
1 Bender (Oscar Andrade, Jr.)
2 Mickswagger (Luis Valenzuela)
3 Mischief Maker (Jose Vazquez)
4 Barossa (Kelsi Purcell)
5 Zia Zapper (Cerapio Figueroa)
6 Corrina Corrina (Tracy Hebert)
7 Ze’bul (Enrique Gomez)
8 Ruggs (Luis Rodriguez)
9 Bye (Miguel Perez) 10 Battle Strike (Alejandro Medellin)