Ramiro Garcia guides Chew Bac Cah to a head victory in the $40,000 Cy-Hawk Stakes on July 25 at Prairie Meadows.

© Jack Coady Photography

By Emily Paulk, StallioneSearch

ALTOONA, IA—JULY 25, 2026—Chew Bac Cah dug in through the final strides to edge Ajs Favorite Ia by a head in the $40,000 Cy-Hawk Stakes on Saturday at Prairie Meadows.

The 3-year-old filly covered the 350 yards in :17.740 over a fast track, earning a speed index of 88.

Ridden by Ramiro Garcia, Chew Bac Cah is a homebred for Lunderborg LLC and is trained by Jason Olmstead. The daughter of all-time leading sire Apollitical Jess is out of the PYC Paint Your Wagon mare Paint Or More.

The victory improved her record to 13-8-0-1 and the $19,600 winner's share of the purse increased her earnings to $316,186. Earlier this season, she captured the Grade 2 Heritage Place Oaks after winning last year's Hawkeye Futurity.

Ajs Favorite Ia battled throughout before settling for second, just a head behind the winner. Ridden by Cristian Esqueda for owner Stephen Moyle and trainer Alex Wessels, the Favorite Cartel gelding stopped the clock in :17.771 while earning an 87 speed index.

Bred by Darling Farms and out of the Apollitical Jess mare Df Aj Green Leaves, he now owns a record of 12-7-4-1 with earnings of $192,183. His record includes victories in last year's Polk County Derby, Cy-Hawk Stakes and Cyclone Derby.

Cowboy 123 crossed the wire in third but was disqualified and placed sixth after drifting out late and interfering with several rivals.

The stewards' ruling elevated Ab Boogie to third. Ridden by Alfredo Triana Jr. for owner Boogies Legacy Racing Stables LLC and trainer Manuel Campos, the 5-year-old gelding finished another half-length back in :17.885 while earning an 84 speed index.

Bred by Ruben Mojica, the son of Apollitical Blood out of Boogie Wagon entered the race off a finalist effort in the Grade 3 Keokuk Stakes and won last year's Terrace Hill Stakes.

Prize Flyter finished fourth and was followed by Royal Candy King and the disqualified Cowboy 123.

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