Southwesterly, under jockey Martin Osuna, setting the fastest qualifying time for the $60,000-added John Deere Arizona Downs Juvenile Challenge on Saturday.

© Coady Photography

PRESCOTT VALLEY, AZ–JULY 9, 2022–Making her career debut today in the John Deere Arizona Downs Juvenile Challenge trials, Southwesterly posted an impressive one-length win while setting the fastest qualifying time.

The 10 fastest qualifiers, from three trial races conducted at Arizona Downs today (Saturday), will return to the Arizona raceway on Saturday, July 30th to vie for the winner's share of a $60,000-added purse going 350 yards.

 Also at stake is a starting spot in the Grade 2 $125,000-est. John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship to be held October 12th at Horseshoe Indianapolis during the Bank of American Challenge Championships.

Under jockey Martin Osuna, Southwesterly completed the 350 yards in :17.859 seconds, equaling a 95 speed index into an 8 mph headwind, to establish the fastest trial time of the day. The daughter of a leading sire Favorite Cartel earned $4,400 of the $8,000 trial purse money.

John Allred conditions the gray filly for owner Scott McDaniel, who purchased Southwesterly for $37,000 at the Los Alamitos Equine Mixed Sale last October. Steve Burns, DVM bred the filly from the Separatist mare Separate Tac.

Making his second career start, Whiskey Wes broke his maiden in the final trial to get the third fastest clocking of :18.004 seconds, a 91 speed index into a 12 mph headwind. Trainer Jesus Carrete named jockey Albert Medrano to ride the Arizona-bred son of Panama Wes for owner Andrea Canales.

Juan Chavero bred the chestnut gelding from the Corona Cocktail mare Maur Bug. Whiskey Wes was third in his career debut, a maiden at SunRay Park May 8th. He has earned $7,000.

The opening trial went to Crush The Curve Futurity winner Ms Flaming Finish under jockey Martin Osuna.  The daughter of leading sire Mr Jess Perry completed the 350 yards in :18.074 seconds, an 89 speed index into a 14 mph headwind, to get the fifth fastest qualifying time.

Also a Los Alamitos' sale graduate for $37,000, Ms Flaming Finish races for owner CB Stables LLC and is trained by Javier Durante. Bred in California from the Walk Thru Fire mare Flaming Chula, the sorrel filly has compiled a (4) 2-1-1 record and banked $27,360.

For a complete list of John Deere Arizona Juvenile Challenge qualifiers, with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.