Margarets Cowboy Cruises to Victory in $178,875 Adequan Derby Challenge Championship(G1)

Margarets Cowboy added another major victory to his growing stakes résumé Saturday night, cruising to a one-length victory in the $178,875 Adequan Derby Challenge Championship(G1) at The Downs at Albuquerque.

With jockey Miguel Josue Ramirez aboard, the 3-year-old son of leading sire Flying Cowboy 123 broke sharply from post four, established an early advantage, and maintained control throughout the 400-yard championship.

Margarets Cowboy stopped the clock in 19.296 seconds, earning a 96 speed index, over a fast racing surface while facing a five-mph headwind.

The sorrel gelding collected the $82,282 winner's share for owners Bradbury Racing and John Hammes, increasing his career earnings to $174,287.

Trained by John D. Hammes, Margarets Cowboy has now won four of 16 career starts, with two seconds and four thirds.

Bred in Oklahoma by Bradbury Racing and John Hammes, Margarets Cowboy is out of the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Now Margaret.

Saturday's championship victory added to an impressive stakes record that includes wins in the Altoona Derby, Prairie Meadows Derby Challenge, and Prairie Meadows Juvenile Challenge. He also finished third in the AQHA Juvenile Challenge Championship(G2).

Notoryous, the 7-5 betting favorite, finished a length behind the winner to take second by a neck, earning $35,775 for LA Racing Stables LLC.

The 3-year-old colt, ridden by Juan Pulido for trainer Samuel Mendoza, broke from the inside post and rallied into contention but could not catch the winner.

Bred by Bobby D. Cox, Notoryous is a son of One Famous Eagle out of Eye Popping, by Mr Eye Opener. He was a $300,000 purchase at the 2024 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale.

The runner-up effort increased his career earnings to $159,296, with five wins, seven seconds, and no thirds from 13 starts.

Notoryous entered Saturday's championship with victories in the Will Rogers Derby Challenge and Gillespie County Fair Derby. He also finished second in the Ah Sigh Handicap and fourth in the Los Alamitos Winter Derby(G1).

Corona Streakin Jess finished another neck behind Notoryous in third, holding a three-quarter-length advantage over the fourth-place finisher. The 3-year-old gelding earned $17,887 for RDS Legacy Racing LLC.

Ridden by Ali Rivera for trainer John A. Stinebaugh, Corona Streakin Jess pressed the early pace before settling for third.

Bred by Jeff State, the gelding is by leading sire Corona Cartel out of Streakin Jesszee, by Mr Jess Perry.

The $17,887 third-place check increased his career earnings to $129,920. He has compiled four wins, three seconds, and two thirds from 13 starts.

Corona Streakin Jess previously won the Cyclone Derby and finished second in the Polk County Derby, Sam Houston Derby Challenge, and Hawkeye Futurity. He also placed third in the Jim Bader Futurity. *

Completing the field, Fdd El Jefe finished fourth, followed by The Greek Freek in fifth, This Iz My Time in sixth, Racket Ridge in seventh, Jess a Good Angel in eighth, Kr Cartels Calamity in ninth, and West Southwest in tenth.

Margarets Cowboy, sent off as the second betting choice at 2.70-1, returned $7.40 to win, $3.20 to place, and $2.80 to show.

The $178,875 Adequan Derby Challenge Championship(G1) was contested as the ninth race on Saturday's AQHA Racing Challenge Championship program at The Downs at Albuquerque.

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