Rc Corona Kin, ridden by Luis Martinez, wins the $90,000 Red Or Green Stakes by 3/4-lengths at Sunland Park on Sunday.

© Coady Media

SUNLAND PARK, NM—JANUARY 12, 2025—Last year's leading third-year sire, Eye Am King, starts the 2025 racing season off with a bang. His progeny dominate the $90,000 Red Or Green Stakes [G2] on Sunday afternoon at Sunland Park, taking the top three spots. Rc Corona King threw down early out of the gates and couldn't be denied, while White Lightenin and Just En King crossed the wire 3/4-lengths behind the winner.

Rc Corona King secured his third stakes victory from his last four races. The heavy favorite demonstrated impressive power with a flawless gate-to-wire finish, piloted by Luis Martinez. The pair recorded a speed index of 87, completing the 400-yard race in 19.601 seconds, and the win paid $3.60 at even odds.

White Lightenin and Just En King vied on the inside, crossing the wire behind Rc Corona King in a photo finish for place and show. White Lightenin, ridden by Joseph Belloc Jr, won the nod for second, while Jose Enriquez, aboard Just En King, took third.

Rc Corona King has a total of four lifetime stakes wins, including the New Mexico Classic Championship [G1], First Moonflash Maturity [G2] and West Texas Maturity [G3]. He has lit the board 13 of 20 starts with six career wins and today's $54,000 winning payday boosts his earnings to $411,020.

The winning connections of Rc Corona King accept the $90,000 Red Or Green Stakes [G2] trophy at Sunland Park on Sunday. © Coady Media

Baldemar Parra bred Rc Corona King in New Mexico out of the Deefirst mare Classyoddsofdeefirst. Gerardo Quinonez saddled the five-year-old gelding for owner Jose Riojas.

James J. Gonzalez conditioned runner-up White Lightenin for owners Denis and Julie Schoenhofer. The five-time winner has earned $390,793 from 20 starts, including victories in last year's Red or Green Stakes [G2] and the New Mexico Classic Derby [G2]. MJ Farms bred the five-year-old gelding out of Alice K White by First Down Dash.

Third-place finisher Just En King earned $9,000 for his efforts, increasing his bankroll to $404,223. The five-year-old gelding has six career wins from 19 starts, including the Namehimastreaker NM Classic Cup Championship [G1], Zia Stakes [G2] and Jimmy Drake Stakes [G3].

Ronald Ulibarri bred and owns Just En King in New Mexico. Omar Vargas trained the sorrel gelding out of U R A Fury Lady by Furyofthewind.

Crispyn, Jesses Wish, Doing Something Good, Bad King, Wood Be Bad, Big Crush Bb and Vintage Bourdeaux complete the order of finish.

*******************