Challenge


Defending Challenge Championship Winner Ajs High Returns to the Winner’s Circle at PRM
Defending Bank of America Challenge Championship (G1) winner Ajs High earned another trip to the Grade 1 final on Saturday with a win in the Prairie Meadows Challenge Championship today.

© Coady Photography
Defending Challenge Championship Winner Ajs High Returns to the Winner’s Circle at PRM

ALTOONA, IA – SEPTEMBER 16, 2017 - Ajs High, winner of the $350,000 Bank of America Challenge Championship (G1) at Los Alamitos in 2016, returned to the winner’s circle in the $70,740 Bank of America Prairie Meadows Championship Challenge (G2) on Saturday. With his win in the Prairie Meadows regional qualifier, the defending Challenge Champion has earned a berth in the 2017 Bank of America Challenge Championship, also held in Iowa, in October.

Stormy Smith was aboard for the qualifying finish, and the duo covered the 440 yards in 21.454 for a speed index of 106. Charlton Hunt trains for owner Michael Teel, who also bred the gelding in Oklahoma. Ajs High is by Apollitical Jess, out of Regally Rare, by Rare Form. The heavy post-time favorite paid $3.60.

The winning connections of Ajs High accept the Bank of America Prairie Meadows Challenge Championship stakes trophy. © Coady Photography

When asked about Ajs High on the wet track, Teel noted, “Running in the slop didn't worry me, but his shoe coming loose in the paddock sure did! Fortunately, it was a front shoe and he stood like a gentleman. It came off midway down the track, but it all worked out!"

"Like my wife says, he’s a true racehorse. When he entered the winner's circle, you could just see a happy horse and one who likes his job!"

The win was Ajs High’s first in 2017, though he has been no worse than third in his four starts of the year, including a third-place finish in the Remington Park Invitational Championship (G1) in June. In 2016, he won the Bank of America Canterbury Park Championship Challenge to qualify for the finals at Los Alamitos. His win in the Challenge Championship in turn earned him a berth in the Champion of Champions (G1).

The race for second place ended a length and a half behind Ajs High, with Woop Dee Doo edging out The Fiscal Cliff by a neck. Woop Dee Doo was ridden by Alonso Rivera for owner and trainer Ricardo Martinez.

Among his many stakes and trial appearances throughout his three years on the track, Woop Dee Doo was second in the Heritage Place Derby (G2) in 2016. He has also competed successfully at Prairie Meadows in previous campaigns, including a second-place finish in the Iowa Double Gold Futurity in 2015.

The son of Good Reason Sa was bred in California by John Andreini and Vince Genco, out of Jess Racy Eyes, by Mr Jess Perry.

The Fiscal Cliff may have finished third, but the Pyc Paint Your Wagon colt has already earned a berth in this year’s Challenge Championship final with a win in the 2017 Bank of America Canterbury Park Championship Challenge in July. The Fiscal Cliff has 12 wins in 22 starts, with earnings exceeding $400,000.

Benito Baca was aboard the 4-year-old colt for trainer Kasey Willis. The Fiscal Cliff is an Iowa homebred for Tom Lepic, out of the Shazoom mare Signs Zoomer.

Completing the field were Three Olies N Smoke, Okeyfreight, Boogies Special Dash, Fowl Play, Watch My Wallet Loto and Tip It Bac. Eagles Span was scratched.