Challenge


Eleven Entered in Bank of America Rillito Championship Challenge Trials
Stakes winner Pirate Coves Hero will head two trials on Saturday for the 440-yard Bank of America Rillito Championship Challenge trials at Rillito Park.

© Coady Photography
Eleven Entered in Bank of America Rillito Championship Challenge Trials

BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI

TUCSON, AZ—FEBRUARY 27, 2020—Pirate Coves Hero, a sorrel Valiant Hero gelding owned by Julio Torres, will make his 6-year-old season debut in Saturday’s 440-yard Bank of America Rillito Championship Challenge trials at Rillito Park.

Pirate Coves Hero is coming off of a wire-to-wire, 1 3/4-length victory in the 440-yard, $10,000 Turf Paradise Championship on December 29. The gelding won three of seven starts and earned $59,954 last year, and his record included a fourth-place finish, a neck behind winner SF Hot Pass, in the October 26, 440-yard Bank of America Challenge Championship (G1) at Albuquerque Downs.

Pirate Coves Hero drew the rail post and will be ridden by Albert Medrano for trainer Pedro Soto in the second of two trials.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will meet in the $40,000-added final on March 22.

All Rillito Park races can be seen at Q-RacingVideo.com.