Challenge


BH Lisas Boy Earns Return Trip To Grade 1 Bank Of America Championship After California Regional Win
BH Lisas Boy earns his second consecutive trip to the Grade 1 Bank of America Challenge Championship with his win Sunday night at Los Alamitos Race Course.

© Scott Martinez
BH Lisas Boy Earns Return Trip To Grade 1 Bank Of America Championship After California Regional Win

LOS ALAMITOS, CA—AUGUST 14, 2016—Bill Hoburg’s BH Lisas Boy earned his second consecutive berth to the Grade 1, $350,000 Bank of America Championship after posting a convincing ¾ length victory in the $74,070 Bank Of America California Regional Championship on Sunday at Los Alamitos.

Bred, owned and trained by Hoburg, BH Lisas Boy won a regional final at Emerald Downs before running fifth in the Bank of America Championship held at Lone Star Park last year.

The son of Mighty Invictus will not have to travel at all this year, as the rich Bank of America Championship will be held at Los Alamitos on Saturday, October 29. BH Lisas Boy will be one of the favorites based on his victory on Sunday night. The Idaho-bred broke fourth in the 11-horse field, but quickly took the lead and cruised from there on the way to covering the 440-yards in :21.456, which is the meet’s fastest time at this distance.

Owner Bill Hoburg and Kim Mangum accept the Bank of America California Challenge Championship trophy at Los Alamitos Race Course Sunday night. © Scott Martinez
Hoburg, who has been training since 1971, was not surprised to see BH Lisas Boy shine at the quarter mile distance. Out of the Snowbound mare Apollo Snowbound, BH Lisas Boy was picking up his third win at this distance in the past year.

“He has an older brother that won a Grade 1, 870 yard race out here five years ago,” Hoburg said. “These horses like the distance.”

Hoburg was referring to Yin Your Eyes, the winner of the 2011 Zoetis Distance Challenge at Los Alamitos. Yin Your Eyes won 16 raced during his career, which included three stakes races and $148,068 in earnings.

BH Lisas Boy is now a four time stakes winner after winning AQHA Racing Challenge races during his career. He won an Adequan Derby regional race at Arapahoe Park last year and also the aforementioned Championship final at Emerald Downs. He also won the Far West Futurity during his freshman campaign. BH Lisas Boy was making his second start at Los Alamitos.

“We ran (BH Lisas Boy) out here the first time (on July 23) and he completely washed out,” Hoburg said. “I led him over here to win and he way he washed out I thought he was going to run last. I was surprised when he ran third. We schooled him extensively in the paddock and I have to give credit to (starter Gary Brinson) and the starting gate crew. They helped me with this horse. They spent a lot of time with me. This horse has always been fast, but really poor away from the gate.”

Ridden by Jesus Rios Ayala, BH Lisas Boy used a flipping halter for this race and it paid off, as he enjoyed his 10th victory in 17 career starts. He earned $33,332 for the win to take his career earnings to $136,628.

Multiple stakes winner Jess A Cowboy races for owner/breeder Larry Stark and is conditioned by trainer Matt Fales. The 4-year-old son of multiple stakes sire Dejon picked up $14,814 to push his earnings mark to nearly $90,000. Tony Guymon rode the gelding from the Canth mare Secret Return.

Grade 1 winner Bf Farm Boss picked up $7,407 for third, bringing his earnings total to $929,120. Paul Jones conditions the homebred son of Hawkinson for owners Donald and Peggy Boyle. The Oregon-bred is out of Shirleys Strawfly, by Strawfly Special.

Two-time Grade 1 stakes placed runner Dutcher finished fourth while Jake Gold Br, winner of this race last year, finished fifth.

He Is The Risingstar, Fire Fortune, Lotta Dynasty, Ima Polaris, Eclipse Through Time and Ss Paydirt completed the field.

Courtesy of www.losalamitos.com.