Q-RACING JOURNAL—APRIL 17, 2014—Reliance Ranches LLC’s Coronado Cartel, winner of five of seven starts last year at two, makes his 3-year-old debut when he faces Oklahoma-bred sophomores over 350 yards in the $70,000 Mr Master Bug Stakes on Sunday at Remington Park.

Coronado Cartel (Corona Cartel-First Carolina by Mr Jess Perry) was one of the premier juveniles at Remington Park a year ago when he won his three starts, capped by a hard fought nose win in the $720,000 Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Futurity (R). He then went to Ruidoso Downs to finish second at 7-10 odds in his Rainbow Futurity trial and then a non-qualifying winner of his All American Futurity.

Trained by Eddie Willis, Coronado Cartel closed out his freshman campaign by winning his Texas Classic Futurity trial and finishing fifth in the $1 million Texas Classic Futurity (G1).

Jakita Investments’ BP Wagon Train (PYC Paint Your Wagon-Lady Is First by First Down Dash) also comes off a layoff for the Mr Master Bug. The colt scored his most notable effort in his final 2013 start when he was second by a length in the $235,000 Southwest Juvenile Championship (G1) on December 1. The Trey Wood-trained colt also qualified for the $1,075,000 Heritage Place Futurity (G1) last spring at Remington Park.

Charles Hainline and Jimmy Jones’ Painted Laico Bird (PYC Paint Your Wagon-Laico Bird Chic by Call Me Together) makes a class jump to the stakes ranks, but boasts the advantage of racing to two wins from two starts during the Remington Park season. The member of the Luz Chivara stable has won a pair of allowance races. In her most recent start she drew out to a 1¼ length win against non-winners-of-three company. She was timed in a quick :17.139 for the 350 yards.

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