Margarets Cowboy, under jockey Miguel Josue Ramirez, posted the fastest time from three trial races conducted Sunday night for the $70,125 John Deere Prairie Meadows Juvenile Challenge .

© Jack Coady Photography

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

ALTOONA, IA—JULY 27, 2025—A trio of sharp juveniles punched their tickets to the $70,125 John Deere Prairie Meadows Juvenile Challenge final on Saturday, August 16, with fast efforts in Sunday’s trials at Prairie Meadows.

Topping the list of 10 finalists is Margarets Cowboy, a sorrel gelding by leading third-crop sire Flying Cowboy 123 who surged late to claim the first of three 350-yard trials in 17.926 seconds under jockey Miguel Josue Ramirez.

Trained by John D. Hammes for himself and Bradbury Racing, Margarets Cowboy was bred in Oklahoma by the same connections. Out of Now Margaret, a daughter of Pyc Paint Your Wagon, the gelding closed stoutly to edge Big Time Cowgirl 321 by a neck and secured the top qualifying time.

His determined performance earned him the inside track toward securing a berth in the $140,000-est. Grade 2 John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship at The Downs in Albuquerque on October 18, if he can with the Prairie Medows edition.

This was the first win four starts for Margarets Cowboy who was fifth in the $208,650 Prairie Meadows Gold Futurity in his last start, July 6.

Second fastest on the evening was fellow Hammes trainee Iza Good Girl, a gray filly also campaigned by Bradbury Racing and Hammes. She posted a 17.953 clocking in the third trial under Alfredo Triana, Jr., showing a strong late run to take command by a ½ length.

Bred in Oklahoma by Bradbury Racing and Hammes, the daughter of champion Kvn Corona is out of Iza Doll Face, a mare by Mr Jess Perry. The consistent filly who picked up her first win in the trials will look to carry her form into the lucrative final.

The third spot among the top three qualifiers went to Tres A Blood, a bay filly by leading sire Apollitical Blood, who delivered a clear late rally to win her heat in 17.961.

Owned by Larry G. Morehead and Xcel Farms, and trained by Edward Ross Hardy, Tres A Blood was bred in Oklahoma by Flag Ranch LLC. Out of Miss Perrys Tres by Tres Seis, the filly was purchased for $80,000 at the 2024 Heritage Place Yearling Sale. Also a finalist in the Prairie Meadows Gold Futurity, she was ridden to first career win by Angel O. Ramirez.

The August 16 Juvenile Challenge final will feature the 10 fastest qualifiers from the three trial heats. CLICK HERE for the list, which includes times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers, and jockeys.

In addition to the lion’s share of the $70,125 purse, the winner will earn a guaranteed starting spot in the $140,000-est. John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship (G2), set for October 18 at The Downs at Albuquerque.

With a berth to the Challenge Championship on the line, the final is shaping up to be a thrilling showcase of the region’s top Challenge-enrolled 2-year-olds.

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