Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino
Sunday, January 12, 2025
RC Corona King scores impressive win in $90,000 Red or Green Stakes
Jockey Luis Martinez capped off a solid weekend on Sunday, riding RC Corona King to victory in the 27th running of the $90,000 Red or Green Stakes at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino.
A New Mexico-bred son of Eye Am King, RC Corona King broke smartly from the gate, dueled for the lead down the homestretch and prevailed by three-quarters of a length, earning a second consecutive stakes victory for owner Jose Riojas and trainer Gerardo Quinonez. RC Corona King stopped the clock with a solid time of 19.6 seconds and earned an Equibase Speed Index of 87.
The 5-year-old most recently prevailed at Zia Park in the New Mexico Classic Championship on Dec. 15. Sunday’s win pads his lifetime record to six wins from 20 starts with earnings of more than $411,000.
For Martinez, the victory aboard RC Corona King was the perfect ending to a strong weekend. On Saturday, Martinez guided multiple stakes winner Pavel to the role of fastest qualifier when trials were held here for next month’s Shue Fly Stakes.
Sent off as the 4-to-5 favorite, RC Corona King returned $3.60. The $2 exacta with White Lightenin paid back $26. Just En King finished third while Crispyn rounded out the top four finishers.
The exciting live racing season at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino resumes on Thursday at 12:25 p.m., headlined by a pair of thoroughbred stakes races. The $90,000 Corrallito Steak House Stakes features New Mexico-bred 3-year-olds sprinting six furlongs, while state-bred 3-year-old fillies will reach the starting gate in the $90,000 La Senora Stakes, also scheduled for six furlongs.
