Eye The Cartel Rallies To Win $45,018 Cox Ranch Sweetwater Downs Distaff Challenge

Eye The Cartel produced a late rush Sunday afternoon to capture the $45,018 Cox Ranch Sweetwater Downs Distaff Challenge at Sweetwater Downs.

Ridden by Aram Martinez for trainer James Kevin Goodnight, Eye The Cartel overcame a bump at the start and rallied from the outside to catch longshot Moonys Lil Flicka in the final strides. The 4-year-old filly completed the 400 yards in 19.876 seconds, earning a 93 speed index over a fast racing surface. A 19-mph crosswind was recorded for the race.

Eye The Cartel defeated Moonys Lil Flicka by a neck to earn the $20,709 winner's share. Brookelyn Owens owns the Oklahoma-bred daughter of Tell Cartel from the Tres Seis mare Sparklin Eyes. Ron Lyles bred the chestnut filly, who was a $16,000 purchase at the 2023 Heritage Place Yearling Sale.

Sunday's victory improved Eye The Cartel's career record to 15 starts, five wins, three seconds and one third with earnings of $93,285. In addition to Sunday's Cox Ranch Sweetwater Downs Distaff Challenge victory, she has finished second in the Julie Veltman Overnight Stakes, fourth in the Raysha's Run—Racing For A Cure Stakes and was a finalist in the OHRAI Derby.

The victory also earned Eye The Cartel a berth in the Cox Ranch Distaff Challenge Championship (G1), which will be contested at The Downs at Albuquerque during AQHA Challenge Championship Night on October 15.

Moonys Lil Flicka turned in a strong effort at 25-1 for owners James Graham and Jory Huntsman. The 4-year-old filly broke sharply, dueled for the lead and was caught in the final strides, finishing a neck behind the winner while earning $9,004.

Travis Lusk trains Moonys Lil Flicka, who was ridden by Brandon Mendez Guevara. Bred by XG Bar Racing LLC, she is by Pappasito from the Proudest Effort mare Proud Moon Bug. Moonys Lil Flicka has compiled a record of three wins, two seconds and six thirds from 19 starts and has earned $49,903. She was also a finalist in the Hadley-Giles Futurity.

Mindsette was promoted to third following the disqualification of Kissin Perfect and earned $4,502 for owners Trent Nelson and Westar Supply. Mindsette stumbled at the start before rallying and finished one-half length behind Moonys Lil Flicka.

Calli VanTassell Dominguez trains Mindsette, who was ridden by Cerapio Figueroa. Bred by Bobby D. Cox, the 4-year-old daughter of Favorite Cartel is out of Shazumba, by Shazoom. She was purchased for $25,000 at the 2025 Heritage Place Fall Mixed Sale. Mindsette has won twice with one second and three thirds from eight career starts and has earned $27,428.

Kissin Perfect initially crossed the wire third, but following an objection by the rider of Jolie Laide, stewards ruled Kissin Perfect had caused interference and disqualified her from third to sixth.

Completing the official order of finish behind Eye The Cartel, Moonys Lil Flicka, and Mindsette were RR Sweet Memories, Jolie Laide, Kissin Perfect, I Am A Cowgirl, Sage Runner, My Famous Kiss, and M E Flying Cowgirl.

Editor’s note: A photo of this race will be posted when it becomes available from the track photographer.

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