Just En King, under jockey Alfredo Sigala, sets a new track record in the $70,000 Jimmy Drake Stakes(RG3) at SunRay Park today.

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FARMINGTON, NM–MAY 3, 2024–By winning the restricted Grade 3 $70,000 Jimmy Drake Stakes at SunRay Park today, 4-year-old Just En King picked up right where he left off last year.

The son of leading third-crop sire Eye Am King closed out 2023 with a win in his last on November 26, the restricted Grade 1 Namehimastreaker New Mexico Classic Cup Championship Stakes at Zia Park.

Under jockey Alfredo Sigala, Just En King drove to a new SunRay Park track record for 350 yards while defeating post-time favorite Rc Corona King by a half-a-length in the Jimmy Drake Stakes.  His :16.898 clocking, equaled a 109 speed index into a 12 mph crosswind.

The previous 350-yard track record of :16.925 was established at SunRay Park on June 26, 2011, by Sea Ola Go.

Trainer Omar Vargas saddled Just En King to his fifth career win for owner-breeder Ronald Ulibarri. The $42,000 Jimmy Drake winner's purse boosted the gelding's bankroll total to $297,073. Just En King is out of U R A Fury Lady by Furyofthewind.

Starting off a win in the Grade 3 West Texas Maturity in his last start on March 31, Rc Corona King picked up $14,000 for this second-place effort. Trainer Gerardo Quinonez named jockey Sergio Dominquez to ride the Eye Am King gelding for owner Jose Rodriguez. Baldemar Parra bred the graded stakes winner of $177,720 from the Deefirst mare Classyoddsofdeefirst.

Multiple stakes-placed Cruzin For Chickz finished a neck back to earn $7,000 for third. Wesley Giles conditions the Jess A Chicks 4-year-old for owner-breeders Curtis Crenwelge and Jim Laird. Adrian Ramos had the riding call on the gelding out of Zoobie Cartel by Corona Cartel. Cruzin For Chickz has banked $188,458 in eight career starts.

Ebw Dancnthemoonlite, Sampson Says, Forrest Effort, Jesses Wish, Diezs Daylight, and Doing Something Good completed the field. Young Emperor was scratched.