Stel Corona Surprises in the Breeders’ Derby

Helped considerably when favored Valiantly broke poorly, Stel Corona scored a 9-2 surprise in the $107,000 PCQHRA Breeders’ Derby on Friday night.

Owned by John Sperry and trainer Paul Jones, Stel Corona, a 3-year-old Corona Cartel colt, prevailed by a length over 26-1 shot Suzy Cartel in 19.72 seconds for the 400 yards.

Looking for her sixth consecutive win, Valiantly, the 13-10 choice, rallied to finish third, a nose behind Suzy Cartel and a nose in front of Azyoucansee.

Another Jones trainee, reigning co-world champion Whosleavingwho, is getting some rest at Jones’ ranch in Chino after two subpar efforts. Whosleavingwho, who was 10th in the Los Alamitos Championship on Sept. 27 after finishing fifth in the Go Man Go Handicap on Aug. 30, isn’t expected to run again until the $500,000 Champion of Champions on Dec. 13.

The picks: 1. Snow Wonder I Win. 2. Bootleg And Susy. 3. Be My Power. 4. Westwood Rhythm. 5. Ddf Mea De Bully. 6. Fabulous Rhythm. 7. Said Enough. 8. Point Break. 9. Hez Splittin.

Four! Fabulous Rhythm, Rubys Diggity Vet and Willies Golden Lamb in the sixth, single Said Enough in the seventh, Point Break, Ur Noble and Meters Honor in the eighth and Hez Splittin, Let The Goose Loose and Eyesa Comin in the ninth.

Shots in the dark: Snafolsmobile is a new shooter from Colorado in the third. Ag Golden Memories drops in class in the fifth for trainer Juan Aleman.

Post time: 5:30 p.m.

On the Net: For entries and results from Los Alamitos, visit: www.latimes.com/horseracing/