Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino
Sunday, March 31, 2024
RC Corona King scores upset win in 108,081 Grade 3 West Texas Maturity
RC Corona King, ridden perfectly by Sergio Dominguez at odds of more than 22-1, scored a massive upset in Sunday’s $108,081 Grade III West Texas Maturity at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino.
Trained by Gerardo Quinonez for owner Jose Rodriguez, RC Corona King broke alertly from the gate and battled on the lead for much of the 400-yard test, then had enough left in the tank in the final yards to win by a neck over Pevs Charley. A 4-year-old New Mexico-bred son of Eye Am King, RC Corona King crossed the finish line in an impressive final time of 19.05 seconds, earning an Equibase Speed Index of 107.
RC Corona King qualified for the Maturity when he was sixth in a fast trial heat for the race behind eventual post-time favorite KJ Bootscootin Jess on March 10. Prior to that, RC Corona King was a close second in a state-bred allowance race on Feb. 4. Earlier this season, he was an impressive third behind Flash Bak and Empressum in the $350,000 Grade I Championship at Sunland Park on Jan. 7.
Sunday’s win in the West Texas Maturity improves RC Corona King’s lifetime record to three wins from 13 career starts. In winning his first career stakes race, RC Corona King pads his bankroll to more than $163,720.
Sent off as the third-longest priced horse in the 10-horse field, RC Corona King returned $47.60 to his winning backers. The $2 exacta with runnerup Pevs Charley, ridden by Daniel Amaya, paid back $416.60. KJ Bootscootin Jess finished third under jockey Adrian Ramos with Our Secret Habit rounding out the top four finishers.
The final week of live racing at Sunland Park begins on Thursday with first post time each of the final four days set for 12:25 p.m. On Saturday, the nine-race quarter horse program will be highlighted by the $354,467 Grade II New Mexican Spring Futurity as well as the $311,896 West Texas Futurity. On Sunday, five thoroughbred stakes races will fill the closing day card, headlined by the $200,000 Sunland Park Handicap.
