Naughty Politics rallies late under Gabriel Medrano to capture the $75,000 La Plata Stakes at SunRay Park on April 19, 2026, scoring a 24-1 upset.

© Coady Media

By Emily Paulk, StallioneSearch

FARMINGTON, NM—April 19, 2026—Naughty Politics delivered a stunning upset in Sunday’s $75,000 La Plata Stakes at SunRay Park, surging late to defeat a competitive field and reward backers. Ridden by Gabriel Medrano for owner Leonidas Loya and trainer Anthony Montoya, the four-year-old filly covered 400 yards in :19.502 while posting a 95 speed index.

The winning connections of Naughty Politics accept the $75,000 La Plata Stakes at SunRay Park on Sunday.
© Coady Media

Breaking from post three, Naughty Politics settled early before launching a sustained rally, engaging the leaders in mid-stretch and prevailing by a half-length at odds of 24.20-1. The victory marked her first career stakes win and improved her record to 15-4-5-0 with earnings of $120,628.

Bred in Oklahoma by Nick Reynolds, Naughty Politics is a daughter of champion sire Apollitical Blood, whose progeny have earned more than $19.2 million, and she is out of the Swingin Jess mare Naughty Jess. Her female family includes stakes winners The A List ($316,997), Chicks Gotta Secret ($90,940), and Mrs Elliott.

Teller Perry MRL finished second under jockey Flavio Lozano after showing early speed and battling throughout, stopping the clock in :19.567 with a 93 speed index. Owned by Javier Chavez and trained by Jose DeHerrera, the five-year-old son of Teller Cartel out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess Jets now holds a record of 18-4-5-3 with earnings of $121,118. Still seeking his first stakes victory, he was previously second in the Grade 2 Lovington Stakes.

Following a stewards’ inquiry, Apollitical Boogie J was disqualified from third and placed tenth for interference in mid-stretch. The ruling elevated A Dream Fulfilled to third. Ridden by Jacob Enriquez for owner Noel Rivera and trainer Lauren McQueen, the colt by Flying Cowboy 123 out of the Tres Seis mare Answer The Dream finished strongly, stopping the clock in :19.601 for a 92 speed index.

Completing the order of finish were Special D, La Mora Bombon, KJ Bad Moon Rising, AJ Fast And Furious, Paradise Pete, and Paramounte Streakin, followed by the disqualified Apollitical Boogie J.

The upset was underscored by the defeat of post-time favorite KJ Bad Moon Rising, who went off at 2.40-1 but failed to threaten while finishing seventh. The longshot victory generated substantial payouts, with Naughty Politics returning $50.40 to win, $22.80 to place, and $11.60 to show. The $1 exacta (3-2) paid $374.60, the $0.50 trifecta (3-2-10) returned $931.90, and the $0.10 superfecta (3-2-10-4) produced $2,160.81.

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