KVN Corona wins PCQHRA Breeders’ Futurity to stay perfect

CYPRESS, Calif. – KVN Corona remained unbeaten after five starts with a hard-fought win as a heavy favorite in Saturday’s $382,200 Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Racing Association Breeders’ Futurity at Los Alamitos.

KVN Corona did not break well but recovered quickly under jockey Ramon Sanchez to take the lead in the final strides and win by a head over 37-1 Just Walk By. KVN Corona ($2.40) ran 350 yards in 17.67 seconds.

Owned by Keith Nellesen and trained by Paul Jones, KVN Corona has won two major futurities this year. In June, he won the Ed Burke Million Futurity. Nellesen and Jones said they will point KVN Corona for the Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity, which has trials on Nov. 26 and a final on Dec. 17.

KVN Corona is named in honor of New England Patriots linebacker Kyle Van Noy, a family friend of Keith Nellesen.

KVN Corona has earned $575,250. He won a maiden race in late April as well as time trials for his two futurities.

On Friday, Kiddy Up Cowgirl ($34) won her first stakes in the $184,000 PCQHRA Breeders’ Derby at 400 yards.

Ridden by Eulices Gomez, Kiddy Up Cowgirl closed on the inside in the final 100 yards to finish three-quarters of a length in front of early leader Renewed. Kiddy Up Cowgirl has won 4 of 16 starts and earned $166,591. Trained by James Glenn Jr., Kiddy Up Cowgirl is owned by David and Leah Nelson, who acquired the filly in three-horse package in late summer.