KVN Corona wins Ed Burke Million Futurity to stay unbeaten

KVN Corona won his stakes debut and remained unbeaten after three starts with a head win in Sunday’s $1 million Ed Burke Million Futurity for Quarter Horses at Los Alamitos.

The Ed Burke is the first of three seven-figure futurities at Los Alamitos this year. The Golden State Million is on Nov. 5. The Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity is on Dec. 17.

Sent off as a slight favorite, KVN Corona ($5.80) broke well from post 6 and caught 21-1 J Fire Up in the final strides to take the lead. Ridden by Ramon Sanchez, KVN Corona ran 350 yards in 17.57 seconds and earned $403,200 for owner Keith Nellesen of Mapleton, Utah, and trainer Paul Jones.

Chance to Fire, a 7-2 shot, finished third in the field of 10.

KVN Corona won a maiden race in his debut on April 29 and a division of the Ed Burke time trials on June 4. KVN Corona had the second-fastest time of the 10 qualifiers. Platki, who set the fastest qualifying time, finished fifth on Sunday, beaten about 1 1/4 lengths.

Jones said after the race that KVN Corona will be pointed for the rich futurities in the fall.