Corona Cartel Streaks to a Victory in Million Futurity

CYPRESS — Corona Cartel, the 3-5 favorite, broke smoothly from the gate and won by half a length in the Los Alamitos Million Futurity on Saturday night at Los Alamitos Race Course.

The 2-year-old, with jockey Eddie Garcia aboard, covered the 400 yards on a fast track in 19.79 seconds.

The winner earned $442,000 for its owner, Celina Molina. Our Liquidator was second and earned $200,400. Whip Hand took home $126,600 for third. Las Alamitos finished fourth, earning $73,850.

Primo High, an early favorite, and longshot Artesias First Down never seemed to get settled in the gate and both got off badly. Artesias First Down seemed distracted throughout and finished ninth. Primo High finished fifth.

The victory was the fifth this season for Corona Cartel and the fourth of the evening for trainer Jaime Gomez.

“At the beginning it looked like a difficult race,” Gomez said. “But once it got going I knew we had it won. We have a great chance to be 2-year-old champion. He has done everything we have asked of him and I will be disappointed if he doesn’t get it.”