Challenge


Singles Cruise Coasts Home in John Deere Evergreen Park Juvenile Challenge
Singles Cruise, under jockey Caesar Cervantes, cruises to victory in the $40,555 John Deere Evergreen Park Juvenile Challenge.

© Evergreen Park
Singles Cruise Coasts Home in John Deere Evergreen Park Juvenile Challenge

GRANDE PRAIRIE, A—AUGUST 19, 2018— Post-time favorite Singles Cruise was an easy winner of the $40,555 John Deere Evergreen Park Juvenile Challenge, cruising home by a length in the 350-yard stakes race feature at Evergreen Park on Sunday.

Singles Cruise ($6.10) was the third fastest qualifier after finishing third in the faster of two trials held on August 4. Her time in the trial was 17.974; she posted a time of 17.961 in the final and earned a 95 speed index.

Caesar Cervantes was aboard the Favorite Cartel filly for the first time. Trainer Janice Sather also co-owns with Barry Sather. She was bred in California by Steve Burns, DVM, out of the Mr Eye Opener mare Going Single.

Prior to her John Deere Challenge trial, Singles Cruise was last seen in the winner’s circle for the $20,000 Jerry Stojan Memorial Futurity, also at Grande Prairie. She broke her maiden in the trial for that final and has now won three of her five career starts with earnings of $24,215.

O Kingsley finished strongly to clear the rest of the field by over a length and was moved from third to second following the disqualification of original second-place finisher Ifarm.

O Kingsley earned the final spot in the gate when he finished fourth in the same trial that qualified Singles Cruise. He had also previously qualified for the Jerry Stojan Memorial Futurity but is still a maiden after six starts and two second-place finishes.

The 2-year-old gelding is by First Timber, out of the El Rey Burner mare Burners Beauty. He was bred in Alberta by Wesley Oulton, who also owns and trains. J. B. Botello was aboard for both the trial and the final.

Completing the trifecta was Shez My Hero and jockey Larris Allen. Shez My Hero was the fifth fastest qualifier and finished second by a nose in her trial to Fdd Thru Runnin. The trial was only her second lifetime start; she is still a maiden but has finished no worse than fourth in three career efforts.

Laurie Ferguson trains Shez My Hero for owners Mike and Kathy McNiven. Tyler Ranch LLC bred the filly in Oklahoma, by Valiant Hero and out of the Corona Cartel mare Daze Like This.

Completing the field were Sasses Quick Silver, Fdd Thru Runnin and Status Symbol. Ifarm finished second but was disqualified and placed seventh, behind Fdd Thru Runnin. Always Right was scratched.