Kelli Girl Captures Second Cox Ranch Horseshoe Distaff Challenge

Kelli Girl successfully defended her title in the $18,600 Cox Ranch Horseshoe Distaff Challenge on Tuesday at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Ridden by Edgar Diaz, Kelli Girl took command early and drew clear under steady urging to win by 1 1/4 lengths. The 4-year-old filly completed the 400 yards in :20.011, earning a 90 speed index over a fast track. The victory was worth $11,000.

Claudio Barraza trains and owns the daughter of Tempting Dash from the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess a Classy Lassy. Ted G. Abrams bred the bay filly in Texas. Barraza purchased Kelli Girl for $17,000 at the 2024 Heritage Place Fall Mixed Sale.

A two-time winner of the Cox Ranch Horseshoe Distaff Challenge and a finalist in the AQHA Distaff Challenge Championship Stakes (G1), Kelli Girl has won four of 13 career starts, with three seconds, and earned $63,505.

The victory also earned Kelli Girl 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.

Cynter of Attention pressed the winner but was unable to match her late, settling for second, 1 1/4 lengths behind Kelli Girl. She held the runner-up position by a neck and earned $4,000 for owner LCI, LLC.

Irving Moncada rode the 3-year-old Favorite Cartel filly for trainer Joseph D. Davis. Bred by Steve D. Burns, DVM, Cynter of Attention is out of the Corona Cartel mare Remember Me Rose. She has compiled three wins and three seconds from 15 starts, earning $37,713. She was also a finalist in the Blue Grass Derby.

Race favorite Elizabeth Alexandria finished another neck back in third, earning $2,000. She was two lengths ahead of the fourth-place finisher.

Luis Eduardo Luna Diaz rode Elizabeth Alexandria for trainer Tim Eggleston and owner Keith Nellesen. Fulton Quien Sabe Ranches LP bred the 4-year-old daughter of KVN Corona from the Mr Jess Perry mare Faith and Destiny. Nellesen purchased her for $30,000 at the 2023 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale.

A finalist in the Evangeline Downs Derby, Elizabeth Alexandria has won four of 14 starts, with one second and three thirds, while earning $118,079.

Mi Blood Token bore inward at the start, pressed the leaders, and faded to fourth. Keenies Final Gift was squeezed and impeded at the break before finishing fifth.

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