Breeding


Lazy E Sets Fee On Kvn Corona
Champion KVN Corona and Ramon Sanchez gallop back after beating Champion J Fire Up in the Ed Burke Million Futurity.

© Mark Herron / TRACK Magazine
Lazy E Sets Fee On Kvn Corona

GUTHRIE, OK—NOVEMBER 15, 2018—Kvn Corona, the American Quarter Horse Association's Champion Two-Year-Old Colt of 2017 and the nation's No. 1 money earning Three-Year-Old Colt of 2018, has been retired from racing and will enter stud in 2019 at Lazy E Ranch in Guthrie, Oklahoma, for a fee of $5,000.

One of only 6 horses to ever win 9 or more consecutive races at Los Alamitos, Kvn Corona is the only stallion in that elite group of Champions consisting of Corona Chick, Snowbound Superstar, Charger Bar, Moonist and Sign Of Lanty.

Kvn Corona also is the only one of those six horses that was undefeated in six outs at Los Alamitos in a two-year-old Championship season.

"This is a horse you can believe in," said Lazy E Ranch's Butch Wise, who has guided the breeding career of such stallions as No. 1 all-time leading sire Corona Cartel (the sire of Kvn Corona).

"He was an almost one-of-a-kind two-year-old that demonstrated superior ability time-and-time again. That two-year-old year alone makes one believe he will make a sire, but then he comes along and has a fantastic year in 2018," Wise added.

In that two-year-old campaign, Kvn Corona broke his maiden in his first out in April, then won the $1 million Ed Burke Million Futurity G1 (2nd qualifier) and $400,000 PCQHRA Breeders Futurity G2 (fastest qualifier). He won his trials for both races He also won his trial and just missed qualifying for the Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity G1.

As a three-year-old, Kvn Corona won his trial and then the final of the $235,200 El Primero Del Año Derby G3 to stretch his Los Alamitos win streak to eight.

Trainer Paul Jones and owner Keith Nellesen then took the bold move of shipping their gray colt to Ruidoso to continue his three-year-old campaign.

"I admire the sportsmanship of Keith Nellesen in taking the horse to Ruidoso this past summer," Wise said.

"It would have been a lot safer to have Paul Jones keep him at home in California following his El Primero win, but Keith is a guy that loves a challenge.

"Kvn Corona was moved from nearly sea level at Los Alamitos to nearly 7,000 feet in Ruidoso. The change in surfaces and the challenges of the elements at Ruidoso are well known to horsemen. All that shows Keith is a gambler, and that both he and Paul both had confidence in Kvn Corona. Most would have taken the safe route and protected their established reputations and had the home field advantage of Los Alamitos.

"So, 28 days following his arrival in Ruidoso, Kvn Corona won his trial by nearly a length and was the fourth fastest qualifier for the Ruidoso Derby G1 out of 10 trials. Legitimate."

In the Ruidoso Derby final, Kvn Corona broke poorly and never got back into it. Paul said, "He was a horse that didn't adapt to Ruidoso for whatever reason. It happens."

Kvn Corona took another shot in the trials for All-American Derby G1, but he had no luck. Back on his home field in California, Kvn Corona almost immediately worked 350 in :17.9, signaling he was back with a vengeance.

He then set the fastest time in the trials for the $925,100 Los Alamitos Super Derby G1. He was second in the final in a great performance in a field that included five other derby winners. Kvn Corona finished his career with 10 wins in 13 starts.

"The most outstanding fact of his career is that he is one of only 6 horses to win 9 or more consecutive races at Los Alamitos and that he is the only stallion in that group," Wise continued.

Speaking of Kvn Corona, all-time leading trainer Paul Jones said, "He did his job. As a two-year-old, I called him 'My little professional.' He fits in among the all-time greats.

"No chips, no drugs, no surgery. He was bred for soundness and speed. Great temperament. Good bone. Just a pleasure to be around. After his maiden win in his first out, every race he ran was a trial or a final against the best horses and best horsemen in the business.

"I hate to see him leave the barn, but I believe that he will become one of the greatest breeding horses of all time."

Ramon Sanchez, the breed's all-time leading rider behind only G.R. Carter, Jr., and Jacky Martin, said, "Kvn Corona has lots of class. He is very intelligent. He knows when and where to go when running his race.

He gave our whole team lots of confidence and is a team player.

"He is easily the best horse I have ever mounted. He has a great attitude, and he fights to win a race."

Wise added, "Kvn Corona is a horse you can believe in, and even more so because he repeatedly was tested negative for Clenbuterol. So, his ability is due to his genes".

A son of Corona Cartel, Kvn Corona SI-95, $868,077 is a three-time graded stakes winning full brother to 2016 Los Alamitos Super Derby G1 winner BIG LEW SI-99, $638,878. Their dam is the G1 winner and multiple G1 producer Executive Looks SI-113, $277,891.

Kvn Corona is still in the Jones barn at Los Alamitos, and Paul has invited everyone attending the AQHA Challenge Championships there this weekend to come by and see the horse. You can reach Paul at 951-201-6945.

Kvn Corona is scheduled to be flown to Lazy E Ranch during the week of Thanksgiving.

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Courtesy TRACK Magazine Monday Report