Margarets Cowboy (#4) battles stablemate Iza Good Girl (#1) to win the $70,125 John Deere Prairie Meadows Juvenile Challenge Stakes on Saturday evening at Prairie Meadows.

© Jack Coady Photography

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

ALTOONA, IA—AUGUST 16, 2025—Margarets Cowboy fought gamely in the final strides to capture the $70,125 John Deere Prairie Meadows Juvenile Challenge Stakes on Saturday evening at Prairie Meadows.

The son of leading third-crop sire Flying Cowboy 123 stopped the timer in 17.941 seconds for 350 yards, into a 5-mph headwind on a fast track.

Trained and co-owned by John Hammes with Bradbury Racing, and ridden by Miguel Ramirez, the sorrel gelding edged out stablemate Iza Good Girl by a head at the wire. Bred in Oklahoma by Bradbury Racing/John Hammes, the winner was produced from the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Now Margaret.

The winning connections of Margarets Cowboy accept the John Deere Prairie Meadows Juvenile Challenge stakes trophy. © Jack Coady Photography

Saturday’s victory was worth $32,257 to his connections and secured him a berth in the $140,000-est. John Deere Juvenile Challenge (G2) Championship at The Downs at Albuquerque on October 18. Fifth in the Prairie Meadows Gold Futurity in July, Margarets Cowboy has earned $48,214 in five career starts.

Runner-up Iza Good Girl, a gray filly by multiple stakes sire Kvn Corona and out of Iza Doll Face by Mr Jess Perry, also races for Bradbury Racing and John Hammes with Hammes listed as trainer.

Bred in Oklahoma by Bradbury Racing/John Hammes, she was ridden by Alfredo Triana, Jr., and earned $14,025 for the close finish to increase her bankroll to $23,538.

Finishing third was Anasyasia, a bay daughter of Ali Babe Foose out of Thewayouwantmetoo by Mr Eye Opener. Bred in Texas by Neff Hogue Farm LLC, she was purchased for $37,000 at the 2024 Heritage Place Mixed Sale.

Racing for owner Thomas J. Scheckel, the filly is conditioned by Fernando Manriquez and was piloted by Jorge Torres, collecting $7,012 for the effort.

The pari-mutuel payoffs returned $5.40 to win, $3.40 to place, and $2.80 to show on Margarets Cowboy. Iza Good Girl paid $4.00 to place and $3.40 to show, while Anasyasia returned $5.60 to show.

I Told You Im Good (4th), Big Time Cowgirl 321 (5th), First Midnight Moon (6th), Tres a Blood (7th), Nsm Flying Corona (8th), The Cowboy Chick (9th), and Toorelentlesstoquit (10th) completed the field.

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

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