Kr Apollitical Run, ridden by Jesse Gonzalez, wins the John Deere California Juvenile Challenge on Saturday at Los Alamitos.

© William Zuazo / Los Alamitos

By Orlando Gutierrez

LOS ALAMITOS, CA–AUGUST 9, 2026–Kidd Ranch's homebred KR Apollitical Run pulled off a 20-1 stunner on Saturday night at Los Alamitos Race Course, outrunning 5-2 favorite Cape Blanco by a half-length to capture the $45,254 John Deere California Juvenile Challenge.

Breaking cleanly from the outside post ten, the bay daughter of Apollitical Blood out of Ilikethewaysheruns by Walk Thru Fire quickly established a length lead and held firm under pressure.

She stopped the timer in :18.056 for the 350-yard trip, securing her first career victory in six starts along with a berth to the John Deere Juvenile Championship final at The Downs at Albuquerque on October 17.

The victory was an emotional landmark for 38-year-old jockey Jesse Gonzalez, marking his first career stakes win. It was just his 17th victory from 231 mounts across all breeds.

The winning connections of Kr Apollitical run accept the $45,254 John Deere California Juvenile Challenge trophy at Los Alamitos on Saturday. © William Zuazo/Los Alamitos

"I'm so happy and I really wanted to win the belt buckle for this race," Gonzalez said. "I've always wanted a winning buckle and I got one tonight. She broke sharply, and stayed strong. To be honest I thought they were going to catch us, but we got it done. We were in front the whole way. It got tight at the end, but we got it."

The win not only gave Gonzalez his first stakes win, but also Kr Apollitical Run her first career win. The victory also continued a remarkable hot streak for trainer Juan Aleman in AQHA California regional events, following his victories last weekend in the AQHA Racing Challenge Championship with Bold N Beautiful and the Cox Ranch Distaff California with Ohana Spirit.

For the Steamboat Springs, Colorado-based Kidd Ranch, the AQHA Challenge series has yielded wonderful wins throughout the years. Their homebred KR Hi Five won the Grade 2, $125,000 John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship in 2018 before taking the Adequan California Derby Challenge in 2019. The Kidd family's involvement in horse breeding spans more than a century, tracing back to Wyoming, with now about 50 years dedicated to Quarter Horse racing.

KR Apollitical Run returned $42.40, $18.40, and $13.00 across the board. She has a record of 1-1-1 from six starts with $24,297 in the bank

Zynda Racing's homebred favorite Cape Blanco earned $9,050 for her runner-up effort. Ridden by Justine Klaiber for trainer Jaime Gomez, the fastest qualifier bumped at the start before finishing strong inside.

Bred and owns Zynda Racing, the daughter of Kiss My Hocks is out of Best Of You by Apollitical Jess. Cape Blanco has a record of 1-2-1 from five starts with $19,765 in earnings.

J. Francisco Diaz's Texas Cowgirl 123 finished third under Ruben Lozano, followed by Political Comment in fourth under Irving Lara. The daughter of Flying Cowboy 123 was bred by Connie Nobles in Texas out of Keep It Royal by Givinaroyaleffort. Trained by Lindolfo Diaz for owner J. Francisco Dias, the sorrel filly has yet to break her maiden from six starts.

Uncle Drizzle Fashizl, Flash Frozen 5, Henosheis Fire, trial winner KR Candy Dragon, Pelaossecretmongoose, and Cowboy Crush Bb completed the order of finish.

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