Arizona Favorite (on indside), under the guidance of Santiago Jimenez, wins by a nose over Cm Once Ina Bluemoon (#6) and his jockey James Wooten, Jr in the BOA Emerald Downs Championship Challenge on Sunday

© Reed Palmer Photography

AUBURN, WA–AUGUST 7, 2022–Arizona Favorite and Cm Once Ina Bluemoon dueled it out for the lead in the $40,000 added Bank of America Emerald Downs Championship Challenge on Sunday. Arizona Favorite, under the guidance of Santiago Jimenez, crossed the wire first for a photo finish over the post-time favorite and his jockey James Wooten, Jr. 

After both horses clocked a 92 speed index in :22.400 seconds, track officials determined Arizona Favorite the winner by a nose over CM Once Ina Bluemoon for the fastest qualifying time to the 440-yard race. At post-time Arizona favorite was 11/2 odds paying $14.40 to win.

This race is the first win of the 2022 season for Arizona Favorite who has lit the board 20 out of 24 starts with lifetime earnings of $81,678. The 6-year-old gelding is owned by Tryn Magallanes and trained by Hector Magallanes.

Bred by Kevin and Robin Allred of Arizona, the gelding son of Favorite Cartel is out of Check Her For Cash by Check Him Out.

The second place effort by CM Once Ina Bluemoon broke his five consecutive win streak. Trained by Nick Lowe, the 7-year-old son of Ivory James has 20 career wins with $156,558 in earnings for owner Chris Sutton.

Bred by Randy Dickerson, Cm Once Ina Bluemoon is out of Cool Blue Corona by Jess Louisiana Blue.

Third fastest qualifier Jesstafiably Jess, ridden by Alex Anaya, won his trial heat by a head with a 91 speed index in :22.430 seconds. The sorrel gelding by One Sweet Jess is owned/bred by Malon Cowgirl and trained by Benito Curiel. He is out of Fly Thru Time by Strawfly Special.

CLICK HERE for complete details on the Bank of America Emerald Downs Championship Challenge, including horse, sex, sire, dam, dam sire, owner, breeder, trainer and jockey. Finals are to be ran on August 28, 2022.