Page 152 - Speedhorse July 2018

Ruidoso Futurity-G1
BLUE CORAZON
by Michael Cusortelli
Newman Cattle Company’s Blue Corazon kept his record a perfect two-for-two with a wire-to-wire victory in the Ruidoso
Futurity-G1 at Ruidoso Downs on June 10. Ridden by Raul Ramirez Jr. for trainer
Rodolfo “Rudy” Valles, Blue Corazon covered 350 yards in :17.768, and his margin of victory was 1/2-length over Suze Returns.
The $420,000 winner’s share of the $1-mil- lion purse pushed the gray gelding’s earnings to $424,800.
Blue Corazon accomplished his first stakes win despite a less than perfect start.
“I was a little concerned when he broke inward, because he’s not that big, he’s not that stout,” stated Ramirez.
“But the last hundred yards, he just cruised down there,” the rider continued. “I could see (Suze Returns) on my outside, but she wasn’t anywhere close to catching us, so I was pretty confident.”
Blue Corazon’s second win in as many starts capped a successful weekend for his trainer. Valles, 24, won the June 9 Ruidoso Derby-G1 with Jess Move You, giving the
one-time assistant to Blane Wood and C. Dwayne “Sleepy” Gilbreath his first two stakes victories.
“He’s always been a pro, and he acted ready,” said Valles of Blue Corazon.
“This whole weekend
has been a dream,” the
trainer stated. “It’s impos-
sible to put into words.
After the trials, the horses
(including Jess Move You)
came back well, but still you don’t ever think that this can happen.”
Valles became only the third trainer to win the Ruidoso Futurity and Derby in the same season. The others are Gilbreath (1998) and Russell Harris (2000).
“We’re on cloud nine right now,” Valles said after the race. “This is a dream come true, an absolute dream come true. Chico (Ramirez) gave him a great ride. He’s a money rider.”
A $30,000 purchase at last year’s Heritage Place Yearling Sale in Oklahoma City, Blue
Corazon was bred by Corner K Quarter Horses LLC of Fayetteville, Arkansas.
The gelding is one of nine winners from 11 start- ers produced by Bye Bye Baby Goodbye, a winning daughter of 1990 Champion 2-Year-Old Colt Takin On The Cash.
Bye Bye Baby Goodbye’s nine winners include Sumokin, a half-sister to Blue
Corazon who won the 2011 Black Gold Futurity Championship-RG3 at Will Rogers Downs. Blue Corazon’s second dam, the winning Oh Shiney mare Oh Dusty Bunny, foaled three stakes winners, all of whom are half-brothers
to Bye Bye Baby Goodbye, including Chicks Gray Blurr, the winner of the 2006 New Mexico Breeders’ Futurity-RG2 at SunRay Park.
The overall fourth-fastest qualifier, Blue Corazon made his debut with a 1 1/2-length victory in the 10th of 16 heats on May 25, the first of two days of Ruidoso Futurity trials.
Ruidoso Downs $1,000,000 • 350 yards :17.768 • si 88
Corona Cartel
Coronado Cartel
First Carolina
BLUE CORAZON, ’16 g.
Takin On The Cash
Bye Bye Baby Goodbye
Oh Dusty Bunny
150 SPEEDHORSE, July 2018
Blue Corazon & Raul Ramirez Jr. receive every call winning the $1,000,000 Ruidoso Futurity-G1
RACING NEWS
Gay Harris