Challenge


Fastest Qualifier Tallulah Moon Returns To Win John Deere Retama Juvenile Challenge
Jockey Jose Alvarez pilots Tallulah Moon to victory in Saturday's John Deere Retama Juvenile Challenge.

© Coady Photography
Fastest Qualifier Tallulah Moon Returns To Win John Deere Retama Juvenile Challenge

SELMA, TX–AUGUST 9, 2014—Fulton Quien Sabe Ranches' Tallulah Moon returned Saturday night to defeat Mighty Corona Jr by three-quarters of a length in the $68,670 John Deere Retama Juvenile Challenge. Freakin Runaway finished three-quarter back in third place.

Trained by Mike Robbins and ridden by Jose Alvarez, Tallulah Moon entered the race off the fastest qualifying time from the July 26 trials. The Corona Cartel filly completed the 350 yards in :17.664 seconds, a 95 speed index into a 12 mph headwind. The $31,588 winner's purse boosted her (6) 3-0-1 record to $37,454.

The winning connections of Tallulah Moon accept the John Deere Retama Juvenile Challenge trophy on Saturday night. © Coady Photography
The win also garner's the gray filly, out of Splendifferous by Mr Jess Perry, a starting spot in the $150,000-Guaranteed John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship(G2) on Saturday, October 18 at Prairie Meadows. James G. Markum is the breeder.

Mighty Corona Jr earned his black-type for owner/breeder Manuel Ortiz. The Mighty Corona homebred is out of Jarons Jet, by Easy Winning Jet. Also a qualifier in the John Deere Sam Houston Juvenile earlier this season, the gray gelding is trained by Sylvia Guerrero and ridden by Jorge Linares. The $13,734 runner-up check pushed his earnings mark over $20,000.

Guy Hopkins saddled Freakin Runaway to his third place finish for owner Michael Amburn. Todd Fincher and Fred Alexander bred the Ocean Runaway gelding in New Mexico from the Streakin La Jolla mare Streakin Freakin. Ridden by Luis Ramirez, Freakin Runway earned $6,867.

Carters Money, Kantkeepasecret Br, Shades Of Sin Tacha, Ojo de Rey, Special Hurrican, Jess Dance and Fire Falls completed the field.