Fastest Qualifier Hardtohock Draws Clear In $72,743 John Deere AQHA Juvenile Challenge

Fastest qualifier Hardtohock drew clear late to win the $72,743 John Deere AQHA Juvenile Challenge Sunday afternoon at Will Rogers Downs.

Ridden by Juan Pulido, Hardtohock covered the 350 yards in :17.444, earning a 98 speed index. The 2-year-old gelding took command in the final 110 yards and pulled away to defeat Shes Qualified by 1 1/2 lengths. Diamond 123 finished another half-length back in third.

Samuel Mendoza trains Hardtohock for owner Marisol Alvarado. Bred in Oklahoma by Louis A. Malechek III, the son of leading sire Kiss My Hocks is out of the Foose mare Hardtoget. Hardtohock was a $50,000 purchase at the 2025 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale.

Winning his second consecutive race, Hardtohock improved his record to 5-2-1-0. The $33,462 winner's share boosted his career earnings to $41,547.

Shes Qualified finished second under Ali Rivera for owner Cy Perry and trainer John Stinebaugh. The filly chased the pace before making a bid in the final 110 yards and holding second.

Bred by Bryton Dewald, Shes Qualified is a $95,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate. She is by champion sire Kiss My Hocks and out of the Apollitical Jess mare Hot Politician. Her female family includes champion Tiny First Effort ($445,393). Shes Qualified now has a record of 6-1-2-0 with earnings of $34,995. Earlier this season, she finished fifth in the FL Lady Bug Stakes (G3).

Diamond 123 finished third under Gilberto Linares for owner Cy Perry and trainer John Stinebaugh. The filly raced along the inside and made a bid in the final 110 yards before being outkicked for second.

Bred by Mo Racing, Diamond 123 was a $52,000 repurchase at the Heritage Place Yearling Sale. She is by champion sire Flying Cowboy 123 and out of the stakes-placed Heza Fast Dash mare Fast Dashin Diamond. She now has a record of 6-1-1-3 with earnings of $21,051.

The Cowboys A Legend finished fourth, followed by Js Pyc, Bv Wanta B A Cowboy, Cyber Command, Royal Bloodline and Whistlin Dixi. Biggie Small was declared a non-starter after prematurely breaking through the gate.

Fastest qualifier Hardtohock drew clear late to win the $72,743 John Deere AQHA Juvenile Challenge Sunday afternoon at Will Rogers Downs.

Ridden by Juan Pulido, Hardtohock covered the 350 yards in :17.444, earning a 98 speed index. The 2-year-old gelding took command in the final 110 yards and pulled away to defeat Shes Qualified by 1 1/2 lengths. Diamond 123 finished another half-length back in third.

Samuel Mendoza trains Hardtohock for owner Marisol Alvarado. Bred in Oklahoma by Louis A. Malechek III, the son of leading sire Kiss My Hocks is out of the Foose mare Hardtoget. Hardtohock was a $50,000 purchase at the 2025 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale.

Winning his second consecutive race, Hardtohock improved his record to 5-2-1-0. The $33,462 winner's share boosted his career earnings to $41,547.

Shes Qualified finished second under Ali Rivera for owner Cy Perry and trainer John Stinebaugh. The filly chased the pace before making a bid in the final 110 yards and holding second.

Bred by Bryton Dewald, Shes Qualified is a $95,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate. She is by champion sire Kiss My Hocks and out of the Apollitical Jess mare Hot Politician. Her female family includes champion Tiny First Effort ($445,393). Shes Qualified now has a record of 6-1-2-0 with earnings of $34,995. Earlier this season, she finished fifth in the FL Lady Bug Stakes (G3).

Diamond 123 finished third under Gilberto Linares for owner Cy Perry and trainer John Stinebaugh. The filly raced along the inside and made a bid in the final 110 yards before being outkicked for second.

Bred by Mo Racing, Diamond 123 was a $52,000 repurchase at the Heritage Place Yearling Sale. She is by champion sire Flying Cowboy 123 and out of the stakes-placed Heza Fast Dash mare Fast Dashin Diamond. She now has a record of 6-1-1-3 with earnings of $21,051.

The Cowboys A Legend finished fourth, followed by Js Pyc, Bv Wanta B A Cowboy, Cyber Command, Royal Bloodline and Whistlin Dixi. Biggie Small was declared a non-starter after prematurely breaking through the gate.

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