Wyld Over Corona leads way to QHRAI Stallion Service Auction Futurity Final

Wyld Over Corona and Eduardo Diaz turned in the quickest trial of nine to lead the field of 10 into the $247,875 Quarter Horse Association of Indiana (QHRAI) Stallion Service Auction (SSA) Futurity Final.

The Restricted Grade 3 race will be part of Quarter Horse Stakes Day Aug. 29 at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Wyld Over Corona was the heavy favorite as he left the gate from post six, immediately taking over. Scarcity and Fernando Morin were keeping close in the early stages of the 350-yard dash but as the wire neared, Wyld Over Corona was able to extend his lead, winning by one and one-half lengths in 17.744 seconds.

Scarcity finished a solid second over Golden State G and Giovani Vazquez-Gomez, who closed for third. 

Wyld Over Corona paid $2.40 for the win. The KVN Corona homebred gelding is owned by Nick Johnson’s JF Racing Stables. Tim Eggleston earned his fifth win out of six total on the day with the talented freshman, who has been perfect in four career starts that includes a win in the $136,000 Jaguar Rocket Futurity in mid-July.

“He (Wyld Over Corona) is just great,” noted Eggleston, who leads the trainer standings this year. “He looks like the real deal and he looked really good today. His ears were perked at the wire, and he had a lot of run in him.”

The second fastest trial and time on the day went to Edsons Wagon from the Ron Raper Stable. The grey On the Wagon gelding rallied gate to wire in a time of 17.886. Cristian Penaloza rode him to victory for owner Jack Geer. It was the second career win for the Indiana sired gelding. Flying Beach, ridden by Martin Munoz, finished second over HH Julie K and Yovani Flores-Munoz.

Other trial winners on the day, in no particular order, included Valiant Kiss (Eduardo Diaz), Beach Struttinblazer (Cristian Penaloza), Red Sleeve (Martin Munoz), Flashin Firefly (Saul Lopez), Hastaa Laa Vistaa (Giovani Vazquez-Gomez), Smokindownthebeach (Eduardo Diaz) and Taco Girl (Rolando Pina).

The top 10 advancing to the Restricted Grade 3 QHRAI SSA Futurity Final, in order of time with jockey, includes: Wyld Over Corona (17.744, Eduardo Diaz); Edsons Wagon (17.886, Cristian Penaloza); Flying Beach (17.980, Martin Munoz); Scarcity (17.982, Fernando Morin); Red Sleeve (17.993, Martin Munoz); Valiant Kiss (18.006, Eduardo Diaz); Hastaa Laa Vistaa (18.068, Giovani Vazquez-Gomez); Leaving U in Tupelo (18.103, Germarius O’Neal); HH Julie K (Yovani Flores-Munoz); Flashin Firefly (18.130, Saul Lopez).

Trainer Claudio Barraza will saddle three for the final (Scarcity, Red Sleeve, Flying Beach) while Tim Eggleston saddles two (Wyld Over Corona, Valiant Kiss). A total of 80 starters vied for a spot in the QHRAI SSA Final.

The Eggleston barn won seven of 13 races on the card, tying the record for most wins by a trainer in one program. The record was set by Randy Smith in 2016, a feat he accomplished three times over seven years. Horses from Eggleston’s barn won three of four trials for the QHRAI SSA Derby while four wins were recorded in the QHRAI SSA Futurity trials.

The QHRAI SSA Futurity (RG3) will be joined by four other stakes on Quarter Horse Stakes Day, including the final of the QHRAI SSA Derby. The late morning start of 10:45 a.m. will feature purses in excess of $700,000 and will be supported by a guest appearance from Martha Claussen, nationally known Quarter Horse racing analyst.

Other stakes on the day include the Bob Woodard Memorial Classic and the QHRAI SSA Juvenile Stakes and the QHRAI SSA Invitational Stakes.

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