Mfs Cheerio (inside), ridden by Justine Klaiber, wins the $144,925 John Deere Ruidoso Downs Juvenile Challenge on Saturday afternoon.

© Bailey Ivey/Ruidoso Downs

RUIDOSO, NM–AUGUST 19, 2023–After a tight race for the wire, MFS Cheerio was the winner of the $144,925 John Deere Ruidoso Downs Juvenile Challenge on Saturday afternoon.

Piloted by Justine Klaiber, Mfs Cheerio broke out in second but quickly closed the gap on the inside rail crossing the wire a head before Acapulco Bay. The daughter of Kvn Corona clocked a 91 speed index in :17.565 seconds. The 350-yard victory paid $5.40 for the win on 7/2 odds.

The Grade 3 Juvenile is Mfs Cheerio's third win from five starts in his freshman campaign, but first stakes victory. Conditioned by Eddie D. Willis, the Oklahoma-bred gelding was a finalist in the Heritage Place Futurity(G1) in June. The $86,955 winner's share of the purse increases his earnings to $123,582.

Bred by Jovetta Meridith, Mfs Cheerio is out of the Apollitical Jess mare Df Apollitical Sign. He is owned by RH Bros, LLC and Anastacio Cavazos, Jr.

Acapulco Bay out broke everybody at the gates but was out kicked at the wire by Mfs Cheerio for second under the guidance of Jimmy Brooks. The daughter of Apollitical Jess won her first two outs at the beginning of the season, but has yet do it again in eight starts. 

Also trained by Eddie D. Willis, Acapulco Bay was a finalist in the Remington Park Oklahoma Bred Futurity(G1) and FL Lady Bug Stakes(G3) earlier this season with total earnings of $95,246.

Breeder Mike Vaughan repurchased Acapulco Bay for $77,000 in the 2021 Heritage Yearling Sale. The Oklahoma-bred filly out of Aqua Girl by Corona Cartel is currently owned by Wishbone Partnership.

Post-time favorite Flying Sophia was fractious in the gates, breaking out in fifth. Piloted by Francisco Calderon, the daughter of Flying Cowboy 123 came in steady for third. She has lit the board every out from four starts with two wins and $32,901 in the bank.

Bred and owned by Calder and Candy Ezzell in New Mexico, Flying Sophia is out of Sister Sophia by Big Daddy Cartel. She is trained by Michael Joiner.

Completing the order of finish is One Little Liar, Gabriel, Dawson and Favorite Nova. Gt Got A Tarzan, Running To The Moon and Wynnchester were scratched.