LOS ALAMITOS, CA—OCTOBER 4, 2017—Keith Nellesen’s KVN Corona will put his undefeated record on the line when heading the $400,000 PCQHRA Breeders Futurity final on Saturday at Los Alamitos.

The Corona Cartel colt will have all eyes on him following his tremendous 2 ¼ length victory in the trials on September 17. He’ll also enter having posted the fastest qualifying time in those trials of :17.694. The trial outing was also his first since winning the Grade 1, $1,000,000 Ed Burke Million Futurity in June.

"He’s been nothing but a star so far," said trainer Paul Jones. "You never know when you run a horse in terms of what to expect. It had been a long time in between races for him, but we knew that he’s a good horse. We’re just pleased that he ran as good as he did."

Bred in Utah by McColee Land & Livestock LLC., KVN Corona is out of the Executive Menace mare Executive Looks. He’s a full brother to the talented 2016 Los Alamitos Super Derby winner Big Lew, who could see action in next weekend’s Grade 1 Robert L. Boniface Los Alamitos Invitational Championship. To be ridden by Ramon Sanchez, KVN Corona will be looking to improve his record to a perfect five victories in as many starts.

"I’ve said before, (KVN Corona) is just a professional," said Jones, a 14-time AQHA Champion trainer. "He goes in the paddock and he’s a little pro. He goes on the track and does his job. He’s just full of talent. He ran a nice race and stayed out of trouble. Ramon did not have to ride him too hard (in the trials). He kept his winning streak."

Avoiding mistakes at the start of a race is always a big key in Quarter Horse racing. Ron Hartley’s The Revenant, the owner of the second fastest qualifying time in the trials, will hope that he can finally avoid those mistakes that have sometimes plagued during his races so far, this year. Even when winning his PCQHRA Breeders Futurity trial, the Favorite Cartel gelding broke out and bumped at the start before flying during the final half of the race.

"Right now, I don’t think there’s a horse on the grounds that can outrun KVN Corona," Hartley said. "But horses make mistakes. Our horse, The Revenant, needs a good, clean start. He’s never broken on the lead, but hopefully he can put it together in the final. I think if he does, he’ll be right there."

Trained by John Cooper, The Revenant finished third to the talented filly J Fire Up in the Governor’s Cup Futurity final earlier this year.

Jose Flores and Steve Mickaelian will hope that the third time is the charm for their runner Apollitical Stone in a stakes final. The son of Apollitical Jess was fourth to KVN Corona in the Ed Burke Million in June and second to SC Vapor Trail in the John Deere California Juvenile final in August. Apollitical Stone looked great in his futurity trial, winning that race by 1 ½ lengths.

"He’s always done great in the trials, but hasn’t been able to follow it up in the final," Flores said. "We’re hoping for a nice race from his on Saturday night."

John Firth’s Hard Headed Chick could be the surprise package in the race. She’s certainly one of the sharpest runners going in, having won an allowance race here on July 30 before returning with the fourth fastest qualifying time in the trials three weeks ago. Lin Melton will saddle the Hard Hitting filly.

Owned by Davidson, Cannon, Treece, et al, Wild Wonder impressed early in the year, looking great in morning workouts and then winning his first two career starts. He missed qualifying to the Governor’s Cup Futurity and then ran fourth in his stakes debut in the California Freshman Stakes before returning back to form with a half-length victory in the trials. La Rusa, Just Walk By, King Of Appeals MV, and Rockin Asteroid will complete the field.

Courtesy of www.losalamitos.com.