CYPRESS, CA–DECEMBER 16, 2024–For the second straight year, the winner of the AQHA Challenge Championship posted a great effort in the Grade 1 $600,000 Champion of Champions. Last year, Tres Of Eagle ran a terrific third after winning the Challenge Championship.

This year, Abel and Ethan Lopez and Manny Dutchover's Shakers No Secret ...

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–OCTOBER 26, 2024–Shakers No Secret, a 4-year-old gelded son of the multiple stakes sire Five Bar Cartel, sprinted to his first Grade 1 win in Saturday’s 440-yard, $277,975 AQHA Racing Challenge Championship (G1) at Albuquerque Downs.

Trained by Marc Jungers for owners Abel Lopez, Ethan Lopez, and Manny Dutchover, Shakers No ...

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–OCTOBER 26, 2024–Ivan Rivera’s Frankie Jr scored an upset victory in Saturday’s $167,225 Adequan Derby Challenge Championship (G3) for sophomores at Albuquerque Downs.

Sent to post at odds of 8-1 in the field of eight 3-year-olds, Frankie Jr covered 400 yards in :19.350, and his winning margin was a neck from 7-10 favorite Mystic Paint. Nestor Duran rode the sorrel son of the Tempting Dash stallion Kas ...

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–OCTOBER 26, 2024–Streaks Of Power broke sharply from post four and led at every call en route to a half-length win in Saturday’s $120,975 Cox Ranch Distaff Challenge Championship (G1) for fillies and mares at Albuquerque Downs.

Prepped by Monty Arrossa, Streaks Of Power covered her 400-yard trip in 19.367 under the ...

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–OCTOBER 26, 2024–Arbitro, a bay son of the Corona Cartel stallion Ivory James, campaigned for Campos Family Ventures LLC, sped to a wire-to-wire victory in Saturday’s 350-yard, $144,100 John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship (G2) for 2-year-olds at Albuquerque Downs.

Ridden by James Flores and sent to post as the 4-1 third choice in the field of nine, Arbitro defeated Bottle It Up by three-quarters of a length in 17.343. Claudio Barraza prepped the colt, who earned a 95-speed index from his first graded stakes win.

Arbitro ...

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–OCTOBER 26, 2024–From a field full of heavy hitters, the top two Volcoms, Favorite and Kj Leader Of the Pack, went back and forth for the lead to the wire. The favorite, Volcoms Favorite, came out on top for the win in the $115,000 Lip Chip LLC Distance Challenge Championship [G1] at the Downs at Albuquerque on Saturday.

Volcoms Favorite placed third in last year's AQHA Distance Challenge Championship Stakes [G1] to The Grand Legend and O Donavan Rossa.

Irwin Rosendo led Volcoms Favorite to victory this year ...

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–OCTOBER, 26, 2024–The AQHA Racing Challenge offers racing opportunity for horses from the regional to the national level, and with that gives more opportunity for horsemen to earn not only a piece of the rich stakes purses offered, but also year-end awards for the champion owner, breeder, trainer and jockey in the program.

The year-end awards are determined by points accumulated in regional qualifying races. At year end, the top earner in each division receives an award from one of AQHA’s Corporate Partners.

This ...

By Andrea Caudill

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–OCTOBER 25, 2024–What are the odds of landing in a Grade 1 stakes with a homebred from a one-broodmare operation?

Such is the luck of Oklahoma resident Paul Wolfe, who will cheer on his homebred One Fabulous Boy in the $265,000-est. AQHA Racing Challenge Championship (G1) as the flagship of his breeding operation.

"It’s an extremely small one," Wolfe said. "It has been pretty fun. We don’t do things big at all, we try to keep things ...

By Andrea Caudill

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–OCTOBER 25, 2024–If an 870-yard race is about going the distance, $115,000-est. Lip Chip LLC Distance Challenge Championship (G1) contender FL Rizzo has that going on not just on the racetrack but also with history.

The 4-year-old gelding is a second-generation homebred for Lindley and Julia Myers of Prosser, Washington.

"His mother’s still out here in the pasture,” Lindley ...

By Andrea Caudill

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–OCTOBER 25, 2024–One of the best things about the AQHA Racing Challenge is how it brings together horses from all over the world, and this year’s Adequan Derby Challenge Championship is an example of that.

AQHA Racing Challenge leading owner Jerry Stojan is supporting his family legacy as he brings a trailer load of contenders to Albuquerque for the AQHA Racing Challenge Championships. Among them are stablemates Pretty Sweet Jess and Fired, who both will contest the $165,000-est. ...

BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–OCTOBER 24, 2024–All eyes of the American Quarter Horse racing world will be fixed on New Mexico this Saturday, as Albuquerque Downs Racetrack will host the 32nd AQHA Challenge Championships.

Post time for the first race on the 10-race all-stakes program is set for 6:05 p.m. (MDT)

The five Challenge Championship races will be contested in order from races 6-10. Following is a preview of ...

By Andrea Caudill

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–OCTOBER 22, 2024–Home court advantage for this year’s $140,000-est. John Deere Juvenile Challenge (G2) goes to Conflict, who enters this race with three races over the Downs at Albuquerque surface.

Racing for Scott Branson and Jimmy Vasquez, Conflict has finished top-two in seven of his nine career starts. He was second in his most recent two starts, including the John Deere Ruidoso Juvenile Challenge (G3) just behind Karmalites ...

By Andrea Caudill

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–OCTOBER 22, 2024–The $115,000-est. Cox Ranch Distaff Challenge Championship (G1) will offer a gate of great mares to watch compete, but it is also expected to be the swan song for Grade 1 winner Lynnder 16, who is preparing to retire from the racetrack after a remarkable career. The mare's record is practically unheard of today for a horse of her caliber, as this race will mark her 44th career start. She races for Tom Maher and Richard L. Tobin, who bought her as a weanling from breeders Jim and Marilyn Helzer. Lynnder 16's PPs ...

DALLAS, TX—OCTOBER 18, 2024—StallioneSearch.com launched its annual "AQHA Challenge Championship Preview" section today.

This special section, posted each year before the AQHA Challenge Championships, includes bios, pedigree, photo, owner, trainer, and jockey information on the finalists for each division of "Championship Night."

For the third time, The Downs in Albuquerque will host the AQHA Racing Challenge Championships. CLICK HERE for the 2024 StallioneSearch AQHA Challenge Championship's Preview.

AQHA Racing Committee Meeting will be held in Albuquerque on Friday, October 25th in conjunction with the AQHA Challenge weekend.

Five divisions of the Racing Challenge program cover ...

CLAREMORE, OK–SEPTEMBER 29, 2024–The $63,767 John Deere Juvenile Challenge marked the third straight win for trainer Jason Olmstead and jockey Ramiro Garcia in the regional challenge races at Will Rogers Downs on Sunday. The trainer/jockey duo teamed up for the 350-yard win with The Criminal for owner Tom Maher, who earned his second challenge stakes win of the day.

The Criminal was the outsider going into the race on 10-1 odds, which paid $23.60 to win, $8.00 to place and $4.80 to show. The son of leading sire Apollitical Jess got off with a good start toward the middle and went all out ...

CLAREMORE, OK–SEPTEMBER 29, 2024–Fastest qualifier Mystic Paint raced to a one-length victory in the $60,962 Adequan Will Rogers Derby Challenge on Sunday at Will Rogers Downs.

Jockey Ramiro Garcia rode Mystic Paint to a convincing win over the 400 yards in 19.774 seconds, a 98-speed index into a 10 mph crosswind. It was the fifth win in 15 career starts for the brown colt.

Leading trainer Jason Olmstead conditions the son of leading sire Pyc Paint Your Wagon for owner William F. Harned. Cavenaugh Quarter Horses LLC bred Mystic Paint in ...

CLAREMORE, OK–SEPTEMBER 29, 2024–Big Lew Love raced to his first career stakes victory Sunday when he went wire-to-wire in the $28,424 Grade 3 Lip Chip Will Rogers Distance Challenge at Will Rogers Downs.

Jockey Mario Delgado quickly guided Big Lew Love to lead from the inside rail, then dueled down the stretch with runner-up Fi Rizzo. The winning margin was a neck after recording 45.532 seconds, a 99-speed index over the 870 yards into a 12 mph crosswind.

Trainer Eddie D. Willis saddled the ...

CLAREMORE, OK–SEPTEMBER 29, 2024–Defending champion and challenge race superstar Lynnder 16 had a battle on her hands but held on for the win in the $28,798 Cox Ranch Distaff Challenge [G3] at Will Rogers Downs on Sunday. The victory marks the fourth consecutive year she has won this particular leg of the challenge races.

Firing fourth from ...

GRANDE PRAIRIE, TX–SEPTEMBER 28, 2024–Heavy favorite and fastest qualifier from the trials, Curls Joyful Wagon, celebrates her first stakes victory in the $39,644 Cox Ranch Lone Star Distaff Challenge on Saturday at Lone Star Park.

Curls Joyful Wagon's 400-yard victory secures a berth into the Grade 1 Cox Ranch Distaff Challenge Championship during Challenge Championship night at the Downs at Albuquerque on October 26.

Jockey Ali Rivera got the leg up aboard Curls Joyful Wagon for their third consecutive win this season.  The duo won an Allowance at Remington Park, then their trial heat to the Cox Ranch Distaff Challenge, ...

AMARILLO, TX–SEPTEMBER 27, 2024–Hotel reservations for the AQHA Racing Conference and Challenge Championships are due Saturday, October 5.

Everyone is invited to attend the AQHA Racing Challenge Championships, alongside the AQHA Racing ...

GRANTS PASS, OR–SEPTEMBER 22, 2024–Graded stakes winner Apolinaria Prize got her first win of the year today when she defeated a full field in the $58,718 AQHA Grants Pass Championship Challenge at Grants Pass Downs.

Bouncing off a second-place effort in the August 18 trials, jockey Cristian Gonzalez guided the 5-year-old mare to a new win over Ima Sixy Man. The daughter of multiple stakes ...

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–SEPTEMBER 21, 2024–Making his first start since June, Volcoms Favorite. (14-1)  became a graded stakes winner today following a three-quarter length victory in the $60,214 Lip Chip Albuquerque Distance Challenge(G2) at The Downs in Albuquerque.

Under jockey Irwin Rosendo Volcoms Favorite vied mid-stretch, then pulled away from his rivals and held for the victory. The son of champion Jess Good Candy completed the 870 yards in ...

BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI

GRANTS PASS, OR–SEPTEMBER 20, 2024–Ima Sixy Man, a multiple stakes-winning 4-year-old Corona Cartel gelding, is one of 10 aged runners entered back in Sunday’s 440-yard, $58,718 AQHA Grants Pass Championship Challenge at Grants Pass Downs.

Trained by Emilio Guerrero for owner Boardshorts Stables LLC, Ima Sixy Man won two stakes on the Northern California Fair Circuit last summer, including the July 4, 300-yard Jack Robinson Handicap at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton. The Oklahoma-bred gelding was a finalist in last year’s 400-yard, $163,000 ...

SHELBYVILLE, IN–SEPTEMBER 19, 2024–Arbitro has been nearly perfect this season. He added to his accolades Thursday, September 19, in the regional race for the $46,376 John Deere Juvenile Challenge at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Not only did he score the local title, but Arbitro also earned a spot in the final during the AQHA Challenge Championships, which will be held on Saturday, October 26, at The Downs at Albuquerque.

Arbitro and Edgar Diaz broke from post six and were immediately tagged as the pair to catch. The freshman colt was joined by stablemate Pluto 22 and Juan Marquez through the early stages of the 350-yard dash. Coco Kiss and Rolando Pina also joined them in the quest for the top spot.

Arbitro and Pluto 22 began to move away from their opponents near ...

SHELBYVILLE, IN–SEPTEMBER 19, 2024–HG Favorite Energy lives up to his name in the Tony Cunnigham barn. The sophomore is a barn favorite packed with personality and speed, causing the stable to celebrate a little more vibrantly following his win in the $37,774 Adequan Derby Challenge regional event on Thursday, September 19, at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

HG Favorite Energy began from the outside post eight and was a step or two slow getting into the early action. Full Boogie and Erik Esqueda led the field from the inside early, joined by AJ Pure Gold and Juan Marquez, along with Jess Knew and Edgar Diaz on the inside.

Trailing early, HG Favorite Energy found his best stride midway through the 400-yard sprint and blasted in on the leaders from the far outside. The final stride was the winning blow for HG Favorite Energy to deliver to his opponents, scoring the win by one-half length ...

SHELBYVILLE, IN–SEPTEMBER 19, 2024–There was a question mark beside Sawyer Strange as she entered the gate for the $28,050 Cox Ranch Distaff Regional Challenge on Thursday, September 19, at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

The four-year-old mare was making her first start back in nearly a year. Still, she proved she hasn’t missed a step, ...

BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI SHELBYVILLE, IN--SEPTEMBER 17, 2024--Three Bank of America Challenge Championship berths will be decided Thursday at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Ten 2-year-olds, led by fastest qualifier Arbitro, are entered back in Thursday’s 350-yard, $46,376 John Deere Indianapolis Juvenile Challenge. A bay Ivory James colt trained by Claudio Barraza for owner Campos Family Ventures, Arbitro is coming off of a one-length win in the ...

CLAREMORE, OK–SEPTEMBER 10, 2024–Grade 3 finalist Red Iron got her third career win on Tuesday while posting the fastest qualifying time for the John Deere Will Rogers Juvenile Challenge at Will Rogers Downs

The 10 fastest qualifiers from the three trial races contested today will return on Sunday, September 29, to compete for the winner's share of a $30,000-added purse at 350 yards.

The winner will also be invited to the $140,000-est John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship(G2) ...

CLAREMORE, OK–SEPTEMBER 10, 2024–Bouncing off a fifth-place effort in the All American Derby trials in his last start, Grade 1 Ruidoso Derby runner-up Mystic Paint posted the fastest qualifying time for the Adequan Will Rogers Derby Challenge on Tuesday at Will Rogers Downs

The 10 fastest qualifiers from the three trial races contested today will return on Sunday, September 29, to compete for the winner's share of a $30,000-added purse at 400 yards.

Also in play is a starting spot in the $165,000-est Adequan Derby Challenge Championship (G3), which will be contested at The Downs at Albuquerque during the Bank of American Challenge Championship Night on October 26.

Jockey Ramiro Garcia rode Mystic Paint to a 1 3/4-length victory in the opening ...

GRANTS PASS, OR–SEPTEMBER 8, 2024–Radar, a 5-year-old stakes-winning son of leading sire A Revenant, posted the fastest qualifying time for the AQHA Grants Pass Championship Challenge on Sunday when he won the last of two trials at Grants Pass Downs.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will return to Oregon racetrack on Sunday, September 22, to vie for the winner's share of a $40,000-added purse going the classic Quarter Horse distance of 440 yards.

A victory in the race will also earn the winner a berth into the ...

GRAND PRAIRIE, TX–SEPTEMBER 7, 2024–Grade 1-placed Curls Joyful Wagon posted the fastest qualifying time from two trials contested tonight at Lone Star Park for the Cox Ranch Lone Star Distaff Challenge.

The 10 fastest qualifiers, from Challenge enrolled fillies and mares 3-year-olds and up,  will return to Lone Star Park on Saturday, September 28, to vie for the winner's share of a $20,000-added purse going a distance of 400 yards.

As a bonus, the winner on September 28 will ...

BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI GRAND PRAIRIE, TX–SEPTEMBER 5, 2024–Curls Joyful Wagon and Jess Kissing Beau are two of the 15 fillies and mares entered in Saturday’s 400-yard Cox Ranch Lone Star Distaff Challenge trials at Lone Star Park. The 10 fastest qualifiers will meet in the September 28, $20,000-added final.

Curls Joyful Wagon races for Martin Stacy from the barn of trainer ...

SHELBYVILLE, IN–AUGUST 31, 2024– Arbitro accelerated away from Macho Chick to get the victory in the first of two trials to the $30,000 John Deere Juvenile Challenge on Saturday at Horseshoe Indianapolis, clocking the fastest qualifying time for the second time in his career.

Sent off at 1/9 odds under the guidance of Edgar Diaz, Arbitro clocked an 82 speed index in 18.105 seconds. The son of Ivory James led the four-horse field from gate to wire with a one-length victory. The post-time favorite's 350-yard effort paid $2.20 to win.

Arbitro scored his second career victory from three ...

EDMONTON, ALB—AUGUST 23, 2024—Multiple stakes winner Flight Club crushed the Century Mile track record while winning the $44,505(US) AQHA Century Mile Championship Challenge at Century Mile Racetrack & Casino on Friday.

Under regular rider J.B. Botello, Flight Clu14b broke well and dug in late to hold off One Famous Rock. He completed the task in 21.600 seconds to establish a new 440-yard track record, equaling a 101-speed index into a 15 mph headwind. The ...

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–AUGUST 18, 2024–Multiple stakes winner Karmalites raced to her fourth consecutive win on Sunday when she defeated Conflict by 1-1/4 lengths as the post-time favorite in the $152,779 John Deere Ruidoso Juvenile Challenge(G3) at The Downs at Albuquerque.

Jockey Emilio Tapia rode the fastest qualifier to a 17.090 clocking, equaling a 104-speed index into a 5 mph headwind.

Trainer David Gomez-Barraza saddled the $12,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate to her fourth ...

ALTOONA, IA–AUGUST 18, 2024–One Fabulous Boy wins the $59,466 AQHA Prairie Meadows Championship Challenge [G2] on Sunday for the second year in a row. He broke from the gates in the middle of the pack but dug in for a slight upset over favorite Nothin Like You.

Angel Ramirez guided One Fabulous Boy to the wire in :21.295 seconds, clocking a 106 speed index, which is 2/10ths of a second off his own track record set last year while winning ...

ALTOONA, IA–AUGUST 18, 2024–Challenge stakes veteran, Lynnder 16 gets her first win of the season on Sunday in the $33,940 Cox Ranch Prairie Meadows Distaff Challenge [G3]. The victory earns her a berth into the $115,000 estimated Cox Ranch Distaff Challenge at the Downs at Albuquerque.

Leading trainer Jason Olmstead named jockey Ramiro Garcia to ride Lynnder 16 in the 400-yard stakes race. The eight-year-old mare clocked a 96 speed index in :19.738 seconds, winning in a photo finish by a nose over Miss Kt Perry. Her efforts paid $6.60 to win on 2-1 odds.

Lynnder 16 has 13 stakes victories, 11 of which were in Challenge Stakes ...

AUBURN, WA–AUGUST 18, 2024–Multiple stakes winner Jesstafiably Jess (11-1) held off a late charge from Apolinaria Prize to win the $54,708 AQHA Emerald Downs Championship Challenge Sunday.

Under jockey Jaime Lopez, Jesstafiably Jess raced over the 440 yards in 21.840 seconds, earning a 99-speed index with a two mph tailwind.  The neck victory was the 10th career win for the son of multiple stakes sire One Sweet Jess.

Benito Curiel trains ...

AUBURN, WA–AUGUST 18, 2024–Fastest qualifier Secretarysbestcard held off a late charge from Mr Royal Cartel to win the $50,952 John Deere Emerald Downs Juvenile Challenge by a nose on Sunday at Emerald Downs.

Jockey Jose Guerrero rode Secretarysbestcard to her fourth consecutive win. Two races back, she won the Firecracker Futurity at Grants Pass Downs.

The 2-year-old daughter of multiple stakes sire Docs Best Card completed the 350 yards in 18.310, equaling an 80-speed index with a 2 ...

ALTOONA, IA—AUGUST 17, 2024—The fourth time was the charm for Rockin The Train (32-1), who raced to his first career win Saturday in the $72,182 John Deere Prairie Meadows Juvenile Challenge.

Bouncing off a fourth-place finish in the July 29 trials, Rockin The Train and jockey Francisco Giles posted a three-quarter length victory in the final, clocking 17.447 seconds, equaling a 97-speed index.

Bradley Bolen trains Rockin The Train for owner-breeder Debra M. ...

SELMA, TX–AUGUST 16, 2024– Pops First Lady started the season just missing with a second place finish in the Decketta Stakes [G2], then placed fourth in the Easy Date Stakes [G2], both at Remington Park. She's seemed to have found her groove, though, winning her second consecutive stakes in the $60,681 AQHA Texas Challenge Championship Stakes on Friday night at Retama Park.

After piloting her to victory in the Selma Stakes earlier in the Retama Park season, trainer Juan Diaz Jr named Nestor Duran as rider again for Pops First Lady in the 440-yard Challenge Championship.

Pops First Lady broke third from the gates but quickly ...

ALTOONA, IA—AUGUST 16, 2024—One Fabulous Dynasty raced to his fifth consecutive win in as many starts this season in the $42,262 Prairie Meadows Derby Challenge on Friday at Prairie Meadows.

The Robert Don Johnson trainee also picked up his third derby victory. Jockey Luis Maldonado rode One Fabulous Dynasty to a 19.843 clocking, equaling a 93-speed index with a 5 mph ...

BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI ALBUQUERQUE, NM–AUGUST 15, 2024–Fabian Muniz Porras' Karmalites, a stakes-winning daughter of the One Famous Eagle stallion The Marfa Lights and the fastest qualifier, is one of 10 2-year-olds entered back in Sunday's 350-yard, $152,779 John Deere Ruidoso Juvenile Challenge (G3) at Albuquerque Downs. Karmalites is coming off of a half-length victory in the third of eight trials on July 26. A $12,000 purchase at last year's Heritage Place Yearling Sale, the filly ...

BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI

ALTOONA, IA–AUGUST 14, 2024–Two Bank of America Racing Challenge stakes topped by the 440-yard, $59,466 Bank of America Prairie Meadows Championship Challenge (G2) will be contested Sunday at Prairie Meadows Racetrack.

Bradbury Racing's Nothin Like You, a homebred 5-year-old Favorite Cartel gelding trained by John Hammes, headlines the Bank of America Prairie Meadows Championship Challenge. Nothin Like You will be stretching out in distance off of his nose victory in the July 7, 350-yard Keokuk Stakes (G3) at Prairie ...

LOS ALAMITOS, CA–AUGUST 10, 2024–Racing in memory of the late Clayton Russell, Apollitical Bet scored his third straight victory on the way to taking the running of the $66,291 John Deere California Juvenile Challenge on Saturday at Los Alamitos.

A longtime owner and breeder, Russell passed away on April 29, just two days after Apollitical Bet made his racing debut at Los Alamitos with a third-place finish in a maiden event. Bred by Clayton and his wife, Kaye Russell, Apollitical Bet has improved with every single start, winning his trial to the Ed Burke Million Futurity in his second career outing before posting the fastest ...

LOS ALAMITOS, CA–AUGUST 7,2024–Clayton and Kaye Russell’s Apollitical Bet entered the trials to the John Deere California Juvenile Challenge three weeks ago, and he lived up to them and more. The son of Apollitical Blood, out of the stakes place mare Favorite Bet, covered the distance in 17.703, which was far and away the fastest time of the night.

Apollitical Bet now enters the John Deere California final as the favorite to punch a ticket to the John Deere Juvenile Challenge final held in October at The Downs at Albuquerque. The California homebred has been under the radar this year even though he has posted three solid races, including outstanding back-to-back winning efforts. ...

LOS ALAMITOS, CA–AUGUST 4, 2024–Racing for lessee Robert Tyburski, Streaks Of Power's strength and might were in full display once again at Los Alamitos, as the 4-year-old mare by the Thoroughbred sire Power Jam overcame a less than perfect start to eventually dominate the running of the $26,180 Cox Ranch California Distaff Challenge on Sunday at Los Alamitos.

Streaks Of Power has now posted three big wins from her four starts at the Orange County oval, her most recent win in the California regional being a 1 ¼ length decision over Flash Of Sass while posting a winning 400-yard of :19.961.

Ridden by Armando Cervantes for trainer Monty Arrossa, Streaks ...