SUNLAND PARK, NM—DECEMBER 28, 2012—Wasting No Corona defeated stablemate Ramblin Cartel by one-length Friday afternoon in the $197,008 47th Running of the Sunland Park Winter Quarter Horse Futurity(G2). Wasting No Corona races for Anna Crowson, the daughter of Dennis and Norma Crowson, owner's of second-place finisher Ramblin Cartel, who runs under the name of Crowson Racing.

Under jockey Esgar Ramirez, the gelding scored his third consecutive daylight victory, picking up the $92,594 winner's share of the final Grade 2 event for two-year-old American Quarter Horses this year. He completed the 400 yard course in :19.079 seconds to boost his career earnings total to $119,254 with a 3-1-2 record after nine starts.

Wasting No Corona showed a lot of speed early in his career while qualifying to the Grade 3 Harrah's Entertainment Futurity at Louisiana Downs in his first career start last March. After finishing off the board in a couple of trial races at Ruidoso and Retama, the colt was discovered to have a breathing problem and underwent throat surgery. In November he broke his maiden with a 1 ¾ length effort at Lone Star Park before posting the second fastest time in the December 7th trials at Sunland Park.

Wasting No Corona is by #2 leading first crop sire of money earners Coronas Leaving You. Bob and Jerry Gaston bred the brown gelding in Texas from the Stoli mare Its Stoli Time, a daughter of one of their foundation mares Wasting No Time, by Streakin Six. The Gaston's also raced Grade 2 winner Coronas Leaving You, before he was retired to stud in Louisiana at Hart Farms.

Trainer Victor Rodriguez-Flores saddled Wasting No Corona and stablemate Ramblin Cartel to their 1-2 finish. Ramblin Cartel, a gelding by the #3 leading first crop sire Carters Cartel, recovered from an early bumping incident to earn $35,561, more than doubling his earnings mark to $73,819. Oscar Rincon rode the Oklahoma bred out of Ima Ramblin Girl, by First Down Dash. Walt Fletcher, Matt Witman and Stonechase, LLC is the breeder.

Luis Valenzuela's Speed Regard finished a half-length back in third, earning $21,670. Juan Gonzalez conditions the Chicks Regard filly out of Better In Relief, by Relagate(TB). Jaime Leos was aboard the KH Logax, Inc. New Mexico bred.

Completing the field were Jess Makin Waves, Icu Deity, Im Rowdy James, Winners Adversary, Obamano, Izoro and Scott With Da Loot.

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A jam packed stakes filled weekend is coming up highlighted by the 12th running of the $350,000 Championship at Sunland Park (Gr. I) on Sunday.

In 2011, the prestigious 400 yard classic was won by World Champion Quarter Horse Cold Cash 123. The 2012 edition (10th race) displays an excellent field on 10 Quarter Horse stars led the ultra-consistent four year-old stallion Prospect to the Top. An efficient horse for course, Prospect to the Top won the 2011 West Texas Derby over Sunland soil. The son of Coronas Prospect is coming off a stellar win in the Zia Park Quarter Horse Championship last fall. His sparkling resume also shows a win in the 2012 All American Gold Cup over former Championship at Sunland Park winner Noconi and a second place finish in the 2011 All American Derby behind Llano Teller. Oscar Rincon will ride the probable favorite who carries earnings of over three quarter million dollars.

Mike Joiner’s resurgent stakes horse DM Streakn Thru Fire is finding his best form just in time for the Championship. Despite a slow break, he finished a solid second to Prospect to the Top in the Zia Park Championship. Prior to that effort, he was second in the Lovington Stakes at Zia Park and defeated the classy JD Baccarat. The four-year-old son of Walk Thru Fire is closing in on $400,000 in earnings from 5 career wins. He was a close third behind Cold Cash 123 in the 2011 Rainbow Derby. Cody Jensen will ride the gelding.

Other big stars in the Championship at Sunland Park are $1.7 million stakes winner Llano Teller, Jess Burner winner First Blazin Love, Texas Classic Derby winner The Long Knife, Jess Featureme Quick and Miracle Snow.

The $126,512 Sunland Park Winter Quarter Horse Derby (5th race) at 400 yards and the $85,000 Red Hedeman Mile (10th race) on Saturday are excellent betting races. Mike Joiner’s Our First Corona was the top qualifier for the Derby.

Post time on Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday is 12:25 p.m.