Unbeaten Kvn Corona faces stiff test in Ruidoso Downs Derby

The undefeated champion Kvn Corona will attempt to improve his career record to 10 for 10 on Saturday when he takes on fastest qualifier Uptown Dynasty in the Grade 1, $759,197 Ruidoso Downs Derby for Quarter Horses.

The 400-yard race launches the local 3-year-old series that also includes the Rainbow and All American derbies. The owner of the horse who can sweep the three races will earn a $1 million bonus in a new offering at Ruidoso.

Kvn Corona, who would go over $1 million in earnings with a win Saturday, was the champion 2-year-old colt of 2017 for owner Keith Nellesen after a 6-for-6 season in which he won the Grade 1 Ed Burke Memorial Futurity and the Grade 2 PCQHRA Breeders’ Futurity, both at Los Alamitos. He launched his 3-year-old season at the same California track March 11 with a trial win for the El Primero Del Ano Derby and captured the finale March 31. From there, Kvn Corona won his trial for the Ruidoso Derby on May 27 in New Mexico.

“The horse has got talent, No. 1, and he’s got the ability to get the job done,” trainer Paul Jones said. “He seems to find his way to the wire in front. Also, he’s really smart, and really professional. He doesn’t make a lot of mistakes.

“So far, he’s been pretty much flawless.”

Kvn Corona was a three-quarter-length winner of his trial for the Ruidoso Derby, leading throughout while covering 400 yards in 20.20 seconds. He was the fourth-fastest qualifier in what was his first start outside of California.

“I thought he ran a nice race,” Jones said. “I thought he maybe got just a touch tired at the end of it, first time to run in the altitude, first start at Ruidoso.”

Jesus Ayala has the mount Saturday from post 5.

“I think the five-hole is decent,” Jones said, noting Kvn Corona will be breaking right outside of Uptown Dynasty.

Uptown Dynasty emerged as the fastest qualifier after 10 trials, with a time of 20.11. Last year, he was a dead-heat winner of the Grade 1 Ruidoso Futurity.