Top Shelf 109, under jockey Amardo Hernandez, winning the $35,047(US) Adequan Evergreen Park Derby Challenge Sunday at Grande Prairie.

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GRANDE PRAIRIE, ALB—AUGUST 7, 2022—At odds of 11-1, Top Shelf 109 got his first career stakes win today when he defeated Valiant Steve B by half-a-length in the $35,047 (US) Adequan Evergreen Park Derby Challenge at Grande Prairie. Post time favorite Interes Fino finished a neck back in third.

Top Shelf 109 was a game winner under jockey Amardo Hernandez while stopping the clock in :20.624 seconds, an 88 speed index into a 25 mph crosswind. He earned $22,662(US) for the effort.

Trainer Buckey Stockwell saddled the son of multiple stakes sire Special Fly By to his third career win in 13 starts for owner Robert McCutcheon. Bucky and Beverly Stockwell bred the sorrel gelding in Alberta, Canada, from the Favorite Cartel mare See Me Do It Too. Top Shelf 109 has earned $34,740.

In addition the winner also earns a starting spot in the Grade 3 $125,000-est. Adequan Derby Challenge Championship to be held October 22nd at Horseshoe Indianapolis during the Bank of American Challenge Championships,

Top Shelf 109 returned $23.10 to win, $10 to place and $3.70 to show.

Runner-up Valiant Stevie B got up for the place under jockey D.I. Benitez. Also trained by Stockwell, the son of Stevie B First Cash races for owner WT Ranches, Ltd. Two Feathers Series LLC bred the gelding in Utah from the Valiant Hero mare Valiant Sister. He picked up $7,534(US) for the effort to double his earnings to $15,951.

Interes Fino, a California bred son of multiple stakes sire Separate Interest, earned $3,855(US) for third. William Leach conditions the brown gelding for owner Charles Stojan. Elena Andrade bred Interes Fino in California from the Corona Cartel mare Coronas Mas Fina. He has earned $28,248 in 10 career starts.

Destello de Luna, Firelicious and Wave Burner completed the field.