RC Corona King secured his first Grade 1 open company victory by winning the $350,000 Downs at Albuquerque Fall Quarter Horse Championship Stakes, overcoming a late challenge to finish in 21.108 seconds. Owned by Jose Riojas and trained by Gerardo Quinonez, the 5-year-old gelding, ridden by Sergio Dominguez, ended a four-race losing streak and boosted his career earnings to over $622,000 with his eighth win from 26 starts. Meanwhile, Antonios Mark, under jockey Alfredo Juarez Jr., upset the field in the $75,000 Casey Darnell Stakes with a 3¾ length victory, marking his third career stakes win and second consecutive triumph at Albuquerque Downs.
In Thoroughbred racing, Holy Hank, guided by jockey Luis Valenzuela, won the $75,000 Casino at the Downs Derby by 1¼ lengths, clocking 1:39.18 for the mile. The New Mexico-bred son of Holy Lute, trained by Simon Buechler, notched his sixth career stakes victory and second straight win, increasing his earnings to over $532,000 with eight wins in 13 starts. Holy Hank’s recent successes include wins in the Corralito Steak House Stakes and the New Mexico Breeders Derby, highlighting his strong form this season.
