Iam Outta Here Earns First Stakes Victory With An Upset In Grade 1 Q-Racing Distance Challenge Championship

Iam Outta Here made his first stakes victory a Grade 1 triumph Saturday night, turning back defending champion Handin Out Candy by 1 1/4-lengths in the $128,000 Q-Racing Video Distance Challenge Championship at The Downs at Albuquerque.

With Jose Luis Enriquez aboard, Iam Outta Here scored the upset by covering the 870 yards in :44.952 over, earning a 95 speed index while facing a 4-mph headwind.

Iam Outta Here established the pace from his outside post and traveled five wide around the turn. Handin Out Candy kept the pressure on and was only a head behind at the stretch call, but Iam Outta Here pulled away to secure the championship.

Sent off at 4-1 against the favored Handin Out Candy, the winner returned $10.80. The $62,720 payday increased his earnings to $170,511, with five wins, three seconds and one third from 18 starts.

Trainer Jason Driver conditions the five-year-old son of Coronas Leaving You for owner Sergio Ibarra.J & SM Inc. bred Iam Outta Here in Texas out of Carson City Girl, by Woodbridge.

Iam Outta Here earned his championship berth with a runner-up finish in September’s Downs at Albuquerque Distance Challenge (G2), finishing behind Rock Ya Later and ahead of Handin Out Candy. He was also a finalist in the Turf Paradise Championship Challenge earlier this season.

Saturday’s victory marked a significant step forward for the gelding, who entered this season without a stakes final appearance since finishing sixth in the 2024 Hobbs America Invitational Derby.

Handin Out Candy earned $26,880 for second, finishing 1 1/2-lengths ahead of Rock Ya Later. The seven-year-old gelding now has 12 wins, 11 seconds and five thirds from 43 starts, with earnings of $400,230.

Alfredo Sigala rode the son of Jess Good Candy for trainer Omar Vargas. Emilio Perez owns Handin Out Candy, who was bred by Paris Wixon out of Ole Auntie Em, by Dash Ta Fame. He was a $30,000 repurchase at the 2025 Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale.

Handin Out Candy, the 2025 AQHA Champion Distance Horse, qualified for Saturday’s championship by winning the Remington Park Distance Challenge (G2). His other efforts this season include a victory in the Pauls Valley Stakes (G2) in May, a second in the Remington Park Championship (G1) and a third in September’s Downs at Albuquerque Distance Challenge (G2).

He entered Saturday as the defending AQHA Distance Challenge Championship (G1) winner. His 2025 campaign also included victories in the Downs at Albuquerque Distance Challenge (G2) and King Rick Rack Stakes (G2).

Rock Ya Later collected $13,440 for third under Daniel Antonio Torres. The six-year-old son of Rock Solid Jess tracked the leaders and raced five wide around the turn before finishing 3½ lengths ahead of fourth-place finisher Chickn Hock.

Tammy Kay Johnson trains Rock Ya Later for Rockin J Running Horses. Bred by Melissa Slayton, he is out of Dosvedanya, by Separatist. His record stands at eight wins, six seconds and 11 thirds from 45 starts, with $337,280 in earnings.

Rock Ya Later secured his championship berth by winning September’s Downs at Albuquerque Distance Challenge Stakes (G2). Earlier this season, he finished fourth in the Remington Park Distance Championship (G1) and fifth in the Pauls Valley Stakes (G2).

His previous stakes victories include the 2025 Sandia Stakes and 2024 King Rick Rack Stakes (G2). He also earned black type in eight other stakes races before the 2026 season.

Completing the order of finish were Chickn Hock, Y O Zoomin Ollie, Fire Bolt B and Gjr Rooster.

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