Scott Bethke guides Foxy Cowgirl to a determined 1¼-length victory in the $45,000 Cox Ranch Distaff Challenge Stakes on July 26 at North Dakota Horse Park.

© North Dakota Horse Park

By Emily Paulk, StallioneSearch

FARGO, ND–JULY 26, 2026–Foxy Cowgirl secured an automatic berth to the AQHA Distaff Challenge Championship with a determined victory in Sunday's $45,000 Cox Ranch Distaff Challenge Stakes at North Dakota Horse Park.

Ridden by Scott Bethke, the 5-year-old sorrel mare battled her inside rival throughout before pulling clear late to win by 1¼ lengths, covering 400 yards in :20.123 over a fast track while earning a 99 speed index.

Owned by CLC Partners and trained by Edward Hardy, Foxy Cowgirl was bred in Iowa by Christine Hovey. The daughter of champion Flying Cowboy 123 out of the Valiant Hero mare Foxy Millie improved her record to 19 starts, 8 wins, 2 seconds and 3 thirds. The $20,250 winner's share boosted her career earnings to $229,915.

Already an accomplished stakes mare, her résumé includes victories in the Jim Bader Futurity, Future of Iowa Stakes, Canterbury Park Distaff Challenge (G3) and Prairie Meadows Distaff Challenge (G3).

Lil Rider rallied along the rail under Ricardo Martinez to finish a game second, holding off the late-closing Jc Fancy Eagle. The Ronald Addicott homebred completed the 400 yards in :20.395 for a 92 speed index, finishing 1¼ lengths behind the winner.

The 5-year-old daughter of PYC Fun N Fancy out of Park Avenue Air now owns a record of 33-11-5-2 with earnings of $85,948 after adding the $9,000 runner-up check. She captured the Bulldogger Overnight Stakes earlier this season at Energy Downs 307 Horse Racing.

Jc Fancy Eagle closed determinedly along the inside to finish another half-length back in third under Gonzalo Gutierrez. Owned and bred by Julio Contreras and trained by Samuel Valdivia, the 3-year-old filly by This Is An Eagle out of Fancy Creole Queen stopped the clock in :20.482 and earned a 90 speed index.

The $4,500 third-place share increased her bankroll to $64,009 while her record stands at 20-2-7-2. She was a finalist in last year's Fair Meadows Juvenile Stakes.

Apollitical Legend finished fourth and was followed by Queenvn Chic, Radianz and Hiclass Famous One.

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