Longshot Trapper Gurl, under Armando Alvidrez, dug in late to win by a nose in Saturday’s $70,000 Future of Iowa Stakes at Prairie Meadows.

© Jack Coady Photography

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

ALTOONA, IA–SEPTEMBER 27, 2025–Longshot Trapper Gurl turned the tables on her more accomplished rivals Saturday night at Prairie Meadows, driving up late to capture the $70,000 Future of Iowa Stakes in a nose decision over Imma Southern Bell and Foxy Cowgirl.

The daughter of Apollitical Blood was handled by jockey Armando Alvidrez, who kept her focused after a fourth-place break. She fought through the lane with determination to secure her first career stakes victory, lifting her bankroll to $70,945 in nine starts for trainer Tony Jones.

Jones, who admitted the filly can be high-strung, explained how the barn made adjustments following her troubled start in the Polk County Derby trials. “She wasn’t standing very good. The filly is kind of a hot filly. Her last race out, she got a little anxious, and by the time they kicked them, she got left in the Derby trials. We stood her several times in the gate to get her a little more relaxed. Trained more on her to get some energy out of her so she’s not so spunky.”

The winning connections of Trapper Gurl accept the Future of Iowa Stakes trophy at Prairie Meadows on Friday. © Jack Coady Photography

Trapper Gurl stopped the clock in :17.719 for 350 yards, with an 89 speed index. Her effort returned $30.20 to win and put $31,500 into the pocket of owner-breeder Richard L. Tobin.

“I think she’s getting better every time,” Tobin said after the race. “It’s always great when we win one of these stakes races.”

Last year, she had reached the finals of the Jim Bader Futurity but had not yet broken through at the black type stakes level. Trapper Gurl was bred in Iowa out of Island Gurl by Pappasito.

Finishing second by a head was Imma Southern Bell, ridden by Ramiro Garcia. A multiple stakes winner, she added to her résumé that already includes last year’s Iowa Stallion Futurity and, most recently, the Iowa Stallion Derby. She now shows $98,645 in career earnings.

The daughter of Go to the Gravel is bred and owned in Iowa by Tony Jones and Rick Neff. Jones also trains the Imaa Southern Bell, who is out of the Southern Cartel mare Southernrunaway,

Heavy favorite, Foxy Cowgirl had to settle for third after closing late under Angel Ramirez. She had reeled off consecutive graded stakes wins coming into the race and was looking to repeat her victory in last year’s Future of Iowa. Her share of the purse lifted her bankroll to $204,176.

The 4-year-old daughter of Flying Cowboy 123, was bred in Iowa by Christin Hovey. Foxy Cowgirl is of Foxy Millie by Valiant Hero and trained by Edward Hardy for CLC Partners.

Completing the order of finish were Kool Lil Wink, Ts Fast as My Gto, Th Alota Rip, Perrys Special K, Prize Flyter, Summerhill Express, Rm Flyeasycash, and D Explorer.

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