Jess F Y I, under jockey Jaime Lopez, remained undefeated after winning the $52,294 John Deere Emerald Downs Juvenile Challenge at Emerald Downs Saturday.

© Reed Palmer

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

ALBURN, WA—AUGUST 16, 2025—Jess F Y I turned a strong performance into another stakes victory Saturday afternoon at Emerald Downs, capturing the $52,294 John Deere Emerald Downs Juvenile Challenge for AQHA Challenge-enrolled 2-year-olds at 350 yards.

With the win, the Oregon-bred gelding earned a berth to the $140,000-est. John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship (G2), scheduled October 18 at The Downs at Albuquerque on AQHA Challenge Championship Night.

Breaking alertly from the middle of the gate, Jess F Y I overcame a bump at the start, quickly straightened out, and powered clear under jockey Jaime Lopez to stop the clock in 18.190 seconds.

Bringing an undefeated 3-for-3 record in the final that included the Firecracker Futurity at Grants Pass last month, the gelding was sent off as the heavy odds-on favorite (0.68-1) and delivered as expected, drawing away by 1½ lengths at the wire.

The son of second-crop sire Gold Heart Eagle V out of Time to Splash Bac by Splash Bac was bred in Oregon by Michael and Shannon McKay, is owned by Michael S. McKay, and conditioned by trainer Hector Magallanes.

The winner’s share of the purse was $24,300, boosting his career tally to $62,200 while securing his place on the national stage.

Runner-up honors went to multiple stakes-placed Camila Girl, a filly by The Louisiana Cartel out of Misterious Lady by Mr Eye Opener, bred in Washington by Arturo Fuentes Lopez, who also campaigns her as owner.

Trained by Jose Rosales Gomez and ridden by Manuel Garcia, Camila Girl dueled throughout but could not match strides late, finishing a game neck in front of the third-place horse. She earned $10,565 for her effort. Second in the Pocatello Downs Spring Classic Futurity earlier this year, the bay filly has banked $24,585 in seven starts this season.

Gangster On Da Run finished third, 1¼ lengths ahead of the rest of the field. The sorrel gelding by Glock out of Kr Red Hawk by Favorite Carte) was bred in Oregon by Ruben Magallanes and races for owner Gilberto Madrigal.

Trained by Gilberto Madrigal and ridden by Cerapio Figueroa, he showed steady late interest to earn $5,282. Winner of the Ocean Wave Futurity (not black type), between the trials and finals of the John Deere, Gangster On Da Run has earned $13,822 in five starts.

Pari-mutuel bettors collected $3.36 to win, $2.66 to place, and $2.30 to show on Jess F Y I. Camila Girl returned $10.82 to place and $5.74 to show, while Gangster On Da Run paid $3.66 to show.

The official order of finish behind the top three was Flyin Summer (4th), Mercurio (5th), Miss Sigarra (6th), Angel J (7th via DQ), Heeled (8th), and Toast to Jac (9th). Kr Cartels Calamity was scratched.

By securing this victory, Jess F Y I added a second stakes title to his undefeated résumé, he stamped himself as a major contender for the John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship (G2) this fall in Albuquerque.

Editor's note: A photo of the winner will be posted when it becomes available from the track photographer.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Would you like more industry news delivered directly to your inbox? Click here to sign up.