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Relentless Zoom Rallies To Get First Stakes Victory In Cherokee Overnight Stakes at Sandy Ridge
Relentless Zoom (#7) gets up over Hallmarke (#1) and Swackhammer (#3) in the $46,000 Cherokee Overnight Stakes at Sandy Ridge at Red Mile on Sunday.

© Coady Photography
Relentless Zoom Rallies To Get First Stakes Victory In Cherokee Overnight Stakes at Sandy Ridge

LEXINGTON, KY–MARCH 17, 2024Z–Relentless Zoom rallied under jockey David Alvarez, Jr. to get his first career stakes win on Sunday in the $46,000 Cherokee Overnight Stakes opening day at Sandy Ridge at the Red Mile.

Relentless Zoom defeated Hallmarke by a nose while completing the 220 yards in :12.076 seconds, an 88 speed index with a 17 mph tailwind.

Breeder-owner-and-trainer Bryan Calloway saddled the 4-year-old son of champion sire Hes Relentless to his fourth career win in 12 starts. Making his second start of the year, the sorrel colt bounced off a fourth-place allowance effort at Remington Park in his last start March 7.

Out of the Shazoom mare Shadasha, the Oklahoma-bred earned $27,000 to boost his bankroll to $72,574. The Cherokee Overnight was Relentless Zoom's first stakes appearance.

The winning connections of Relentless Zoom accept the Cherokee Overnight Stakes trophy at Sandy Ridge at Red Mile on Sunday. © Coady Photography

Runner-up Hallmarke, a 5-year-old daughter of multiple stakes sire Duponte, picked up $9,000 for second. Winner of last year's inaugural Cherokee Overnight at Sandy Ridge, Hallmarke is owned by Larry Fowler and trained by Jefffery Charles Brooks.

Jockey Tanner Thedford had the riding call aboard the Texas-bred mare from the First Down Dash mare Zenergy. Bred by champion breeder Bobby D. Cox, Hallmarke has banked $113,409 in 23 career starts.

Swackhammer was a neck back in the blanket-finish to take home $5,400 for third. Jockey Antonio Rodriguez had the riding call aboard the Carters Cartel 3-year-old for owner Cuadra Azabache and trainer Jessica Vazquez.

J. Garvan Kelley and J. Lloyd Yother bred Swackhammer in Oklahoma from the Red Storm Cat mare Martinis N Bikinis. The bay gelding has earned $51,650 in six career starts.

Piloted By An Angel, Sheza Fast Jesse, Bv Seleect Beach and Hh C J Shake completed the field.

Living racing continues Monday (March 18) at Sandy Ridge at Red Mile with an eight race card.  First post is 1:30 p.m. (EDT).