StallioneSearch.com

HOBBS, NM–DECEMBER 15, 2024–Rc Corona King is on a roll with his third graded stakes victory this season in the $200,000 New Mexico Classic Quarter Horse Championship [G1] at Zia Park on Sunday.

Favored to win, Sergio Dominguez piloted Rc Corona King to a gate-to-wire victory in 21.211 seconds, clocking a 108-speed index. The son of leading third-year-sire Eye Am King's 440-yard victory paid $7.20 to win on 5-2 odds.

Rc Corona King defeated Just En King and jockey Jose Enriquez by a 1/2-length. Lookin For Cartel, ridden by Jacob Enriquez, placed third a head behind Just En King.

The $115,200 winner's share of the purse boosted Rc Corona King's lifetime earnings to $357,020, making him the current year's #2 leading four-year-old gelding in the nation behind Jess Good Wine. Even though he is coming off a troubled fifth from his last out in the Downs at Albuquerque Fall Championship [G1], his season has been a winning one.

Rc Corona King won the First Moonflash Maturity [G2] in September and the West Texas Maturity [G3] in April. He also placed second in the Jimmy Drake Stakes [G3], third in the Championship at Sunland Park Stakes [G1], and was a finalist in the Jess Burner Stakes earlier in the season.

Trainer Gerardo Quinonez saddled Rc Corona King for owner Jose Riojas. Baldemar Parra bred the sorrel gelding in New Mexico out of Classyoddsofdeefirst by Deefirst.

Trainer Omar Vargas conditions runner-up Just En King for owner-breeder Ronald Ulibarri. The four-year-old son of Eye Am King has six wins from 18 starts and $394,683 in earnings. The three-time graded stakes winner is out of U R A Fury Lady by Furyofthewind.

Denton Crozier bred third place finisher Lookin For Cartel in New Mexico out of Jess Look Both Ways by Feature Mr Jess. The multiple-winning son of Big Daddy Cartel has earned $76,174 for owner Omar Viramontes Najar. Trainer Adrian Arroyo Alvarez saddled the four-year-old gelding.

Hocksareback, Bone Shaker, Caughtmeatagoodtime, Okie Power, Famous Flyin Cowgirl, Jess Isla, and Candy Going Viral round out the order of finish. Karmalites was scratched.

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