Blue Corazon holds off Suze Returns in Ruidoso Futurity

Blue Corazon held off Suze Returns by a half-length Sunday to win the Grade 1, $1 million Ruidoso Futurity for Quarter Horses at Ruidoso Downs.

It was a neck back to Jest Famous in third.

Suze Returns was the co-fastest qualifier for the race along with Flash and Roll, who finished seventh as the favorite Sunday. The fillies emerged as the fastest qualifiers after 32 trials held over two programs last month at Ruidoso. A third filly in the race, Pj Splash of Joy, finished fourth in her first start following the plane-crash death of her trainer, John Cooper.

Blue Corazon ($11.20) broke on top and led at each point of call while covering 350 yards on a track rated fast in 17.76 seconds. Raul Ramirez, Jr., rode the winner for trainer Rodolfo Valles.

Blue Corazon is now perfect in two starts, as the gelding also won his Ruidoso trial, by 1 1/2 lengths on May 25. He is a son of Coronado Cartel and he races for Newman Cattle Company. He was bred in Arkansas.

Blue Corazon is now the lone horse that remains eligible for a $2 million bonus that rewards the runner who can sweep the Ruidoso Futurity, $1 million Rainbow Futurity in July, and the $3 million All American Futurity in September. The three races form the local series for 2-year-olds at Ruidoso.