Denhawken Scores Upset Victory In $154,750 John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship (G2)

Denhawken delivered an impressive performance Saturday night at The Downs at Albuquerque, capturing the Grade 2, $154,750 John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship with a one-length victory over a competitive field of ten two-year-old Quarter Horses.

Ridden by Bryan Candanosa, the gelding broke sharply from post five and quickly established a half-length advantage. Denhawken maintained his lead throughout the 350-yard contest before pulling away in the final strides to secure the victory in :17.244 over a fast track, earning a 96 speed index. Sent off at odds of 9-1, he returned $21.20 to win.

Owned by John Obregon and trained by Samuel Mendoza, Denhawken was bred in Texas by Jesus Leal. The gelding is a $75,000 graduate of the 2025 TQHA Yearling Sale. He is sired by This Is An Eagle and is out of the winning Captain Courage mare Ms Annas Courage.

His distinguished female family includes Dam of Distinction and Broodmare of the Year First Prize Dash and champion Dark Nme ($1,739,485).

Saturday's victory marked the second career win for Denhawken, improving his record to 7-2-3-0. The $71,185 winner's share of the purse boosted his lifetime earnings to $105,603. Earlier this season, he finished second in the Sam Houston Juvenile Challenge (G3).

Bp Jet Liner finished second under Ruben Castro for owner Jose Quadalupe Brizuela Jr. and trainer Samuel Mendoza, giving Mendoza a one-two finish in the championship event. Breaking fifth from post four, the colt quickly advanced into second and maintained a determined effort throughout the race. He held off a late challenge from Mysterious Hero by a nose, completing the distance in :17.397 and earning a 92 speed index.

Bred by Bill Price, Bp Jet Liner is a $75,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate. He is sired by leading sire Flying Cowboy 123 and is out of the winning Tempting Dash mare Hf Stormi Daniels.

The colt entered Saturday's championship following a victory in the Horseshoe Indianapolis Juvenile Challenge. Earlier this season, he also finished fourth in the Laico Bird Stakes (G3). Bp Jet Liner now has a career record of 7-2-1-0 with $65,589 in earnings.

Mysterious Hero rounded out the trifecta under Luis Martinez for owner Luis Gonzalez and trainer David Gomez-Barraza. Breaking third from the outside post, the gelding remained among the leaders throughout the race and showed late interest, narrowly missing second by a nose. He completed the distance in :17.404, earning a 92 speed index, and held third by a nose over Jeg Fascination B.

Bred by J/R Robicheaux and Spanish Moss Quarter Horses, Mysterious Hero is a $10,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate. He is sired by Tarzanito and is out of the Valiant Hero mare Mysterious Night. His female family includes world champion Special Leader ($292,605).

Mysterious Hero entered the championship off a victory in the Emerald Downs Juvenile Challenge. Earlier this season, he also captured the Beehive Futurity in May. The gelding now has a career record of 7-3-2-1 and $92,383 in earnings.

Jeg Fascination B finished fourth, followed by Hardtohock, Shes Qualified, Top Shelve, Great Falls, Diamond 123 and Kr Apollitical Run.

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