AQHA/Bank of America Racing Challenge Archives

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Team Rip 109 Dominates John Deere Century Mile Juvenile Challenge Trials
EDMONTON, ALB—JUNE 26, 2024—Team Rip 109 made his career debut a memorable one Friday evening when he posted a 5-1/2 length win to post the fastest qualifying time for the John Deere Century Mile Juvenile Challenge at Century Mile Racecourse.

The 10 fastest qualifiers, from three trials contested tonight by AQHA Challenge-enrolled 2-year-olds, will return to the Alberta, Canada racetrack on Saturday, July 20 vying for the winner's ...


Peregrino Af Gets First Career Stakes Win For An Upset In The $47,872 Grants Pass AQHA Adequan Derby
GRANTS PASS, OR–JUNE 30, 2024–Fastest qualifier from the trials, Peregrino Af, returns for the win in the finals of the $47,872 Grants Pass AQHA Adequan Derby Challenge on Sunday.

Ruben Lozano was aboard Peregrino Af for a three-way photo finish at the wire. Peregrino Af battled down the 400-yard straight away with Angelz Diva and Da Bros Cartel. The son of Separtaist won the nod by a nose, clocking a 101 speed index in :19.658 seconds. The slight upset paid $17.00 to win on 7/1 odds.

Peregrino Af improved his record to three wins from 12 starts, and the $22,021 winner's share of the purse increased his lifetime earnings to ...


Pretty Sweet Jess Scores Sixth Consecutive Victory In The CTM Regional Adequan Derby Challenge
EDMONTON, ALB–JUNE 29, 2024–Heavy favorite Pretty Sweet Jess fulfills expectations with her sixth consecutive win in the $39,270 (US) Century Mile Regional Adequan Derby Challenge on Saturday.

After piloting Pretty Sweet Jess to victory in the Horsemen's Derby in May, Ricardo Moreno returned for the mount again today at Century Mile. He piloted the son of One Sweet Jess to a 3/4-length wire-to-wire victory over stablemate Fired in :20.266 seconds, clocking a 91 speed index. The post-time favorite's 400-yard finish paid $4.30 to win on 1/1 odds.  Fired, ridden by J. Botello, challenged Pretty Sweet Jess to the wire but was out-finished for ...


Grade 1 Winner Dance The Dust Off Wins $34,595 AQHA Distance Challenge at Wyoming Downs
EVANSTON, WY–JUNE 29, 2024–Grade 1 winner Dance The Dust Off will get another shot at his second win in the $100,000-est. Grade 1 Cox Ranch Distance Challenge Championship after posting a 1-1/2 length win in the $34,595 AQHA Distance Challenge at Wyoming Downs today.

Under jockey Nakia Teeter, Dance The Dust off flew late as he clocked 45.033 seconds, a ...


Grade 1 Winner Dance The Dust Off Heads Saturday's $34,595 AQHA Distance Challenge at Wyoming Downs
EVANSTON, WY–JUNE 27, 2024–Grade 1 winner Dance The Dust Off will head a field of seven hopefuls in Saturday's $34,595 AQHA Distance Challenge at Wyoming Downs. The winner will earn a starting spot in Grade 1 at $ 100,000-est. Cox Ranch Distance Challenge Championship at Albuquerque Downs this fall.

Starting off a 5-1/2 length allowance win at Wyoming Downs on June 15, Dance The Dust Off has been installed as the 2-1 morning-line favorite ...


Pretty Sweet Jess Puts Win Streak On Line In Adequan Century Downs Derby Challenge Saturday
EDMONTON, ALB—JUNE 26, 2024—Multiple stakes winner Pretty Sweet Jess will put her five-race win streak on the line Saturday when she faces a full field in the $39,270(CAN) Adequan Century Downs Derby Challenge at Century Mile Racetrack & Casino. Carded as Race 2 on Century Mile Racetrack & Casino's 11-race schedule on Saturday, the 400-yard Adequan Century Downs derby Challenge estimated post is 4:15 p.m. (MDT). The daughter of multiple stakes sire One Sweet Jess has not lost a race since July 2023 and enters the Saturday Challenge race off an impressive 1-1/4 length win in the CTM ...


Jr Sakes Alive Easy Winner In Energy Downs AQHA Bonus Challenge Stakes Saturday
GILLETTE, WY—JUNE 22, 2024—Starting off a runner-up effort in the Weber Downs Fillies Derby in her last start on May 19, Jr Sakes Alive ran off to a 1-3/4 length win in the $21,050 Energy Downs AQHA Bonus Challenge Stakes on Saturday at Energy Downs.

Ridden by jockey Jesus Valenzuela, Jr, Sakes Alive completed the 330 yards in 16.990 seconds over a muddy racing surface, equaling an 85-speed index into a 5 mph crosswind.

It was the fifth career win in 11 starts for the daughter of multiple stakes sire Pappasito. The $10,315 winner's purse ...


Peregrino Af Sets Time To Beat In $30,000 added Adequan Grants Pass Challenge
GRANTS PASS, OR–JUNE 15, 2024–Peregrino Af clocks the fastest qualifying time from the first of two trials to the $30,000 added Adequan Grants Pass Derby Challenge on Saturday.

Jockey Cesar Moreno piloted Peregrino Af to his neck victory over Knocking It Off in :19.780 seconds, clocking a 97 speed index. The son of Separatist broke third from the gates but dug in at the final stretch to win by a neck, which paid $12.80 to win on 4/1 odds.

Peregrino Af now has two career wins from eleven starts. The first was in a stakes at Pocatello Downs from his second career start. The six-time stakes ...


Graded Stakes Winner Tha Duke Late Enrolled Into Challenge
AMARILLO, TX–JUNE 3, 2024– Louisiana-bred gelding Tha Duke has been late-enrolled into the AQHA Racing Challenge by his breeders and owners Ashton Elder and Miguel Romero Jr.

The $20,000 fee is just a small fraction of the $462,710 the gelding by RC Me Leaving You has already pulled in for his Athens, Texas-based owners. The 4-year-old now has significant more race ...


Foosea Is Better Than Ever With Victory In Adequan California Final On Sunday
LOS ALAMITOS, CA–MAY 19, 2024–Owned and bred by Dunn Ranch, Foosea scored his third win from his last five starts after a dominant effort in the $33,660 Adequan California Derby Challenge on Sunday at Los Alamitos.

The Oklahoma-bred gelding by Foose and out of the Tres Seis mare Tres Sea, Foosea broke sharply but trailed at the start of the 400-yard regional final.

Sent off at 9-5 odds, Foosea took control after the first 100 yards and from there he ran flawlessly to win ...


Xpensive And Foosea Face Off In Adequan Derby Challenge
LOS ALAMITOS, CA– MAY 19, 2024–The California regional races for the AQHA Challenge Championships get underway on Sunday night with the running of the $33,660 Adequan Los Alamitos Derby Challenge. The winner of this race will advance to the Adequan Derby Challenge final to be held at The Downs at Albuquerque in October.

Five sophomores will be in action in the Adequan Los Alamitos Derby Challenge with the royally bred Favorite Cartel gelding Xpensive ...


Third Straight Stakes Victory On Friday For Juan Diaz and Victor Urieta With Blue Eyed Jane
HOUSTON, TX–MAY 10, 2024– Trainer Juan Diaz, Jr. and jockey Victor Urieta, Jr. teamed up for their third consecutive stakes victory on Friday night's program at Sam Houston Race Park with Blue Eyed Jane.

Blue Eyed Jane, who hadn't yet broken her maiden, qualified with the ninth fastest time in the trials. But the two-year-old filly showed up in the $102,382 John Deere Juvenile Challenge [G3] finals for an impressive 2 3/4-length victory.

Urieta piloted the daughter of second-year-sire Tarzanito, leading from wire to wire, and clocked a 101 speed index in 17.529 seconds. Blue Eyed ...


Frankie Jr Takes Home The Trophy In $69,938 Adequan Sam Houston Derby Challenge
HOUSTON, TX–MAY 10, 2024–Second fastest qualifier from the trials, Frankie Jr, returns to Sam Houston Race Park Friday night for his first stakes victory in the $69,938 Adequan Sam Houston Derby Challenge.

Jockey Victor Urieta Jr, rode the three-year-old son of second-year-sire Kas Tempting to a length victory in :20.001 seconds. Frankie Jr had a slow start from the gates in seventh but clocked a 98 speed index with his strong finish across the wire. The 400-yard win paid $7.40 on 5/2 odds.

Frankie Jr hadn't won a race since his second start in the Old South Futurity ...


John Deere Juvenile Challenge [G3] & Adequan Derby To Be Contested May 10 at Sam Houston Race Park
HOUSTON, TX, MAY 8, 2024–The first major stakes night of the 2024 Sam Houston Race Park Quarter Horse racing season will take place on Friday, May 10. Five exciting features are on the ten-race program, which gets underway at 6:30 pm (Central).

As previously reported, Friday's Sam Houston Race Park card will include the $75,000 Sam Houston Classic(G2), $50,000 Leon Bard Memorial and $50,000 John Buchanan Memorial Stakes. Click ...


Challenge Doubleheader Set for Friday at Sam Houston Race Park
BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI HOUSTON, TX–MAY 7, 2024–Peppa, a homebred daughter of the Apollitical Jess stallion Chilitos racing for the Terrazas Family, is the morning-line favorite for Friday's 350-yard, $102,382 John Deere Sam Houston Juvenile Challenge (G3) at Sam Houston Race Park. Peppa ...


Revised Qualifying Times Posted For The John Deere and Adequan Derby Challenges At Sam Houston
HOUSTON, TX–APRIL 25, 2024–On Friday, April 19, Sam Houston Race Park hosted six trials for the John Deere Juvenile Challenge(G3) as well as three trials for the Adequan Derby Challenge, with the ten fastest qualifiers advancing to the final on Friday, May 10.

The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) contacted Sam Houston Race Park on Monday morning to inform the northwest Houston racetrack about a discrepancy in the validity of the reported qualifying times for the John Deere Juvenile Challenge. AQHA did an analysis and reached out to Sam Houston Race Park and communicated with the timing vendor, which is ...


Aguila Rapida Posts Top Qualifying Mark In John Deere San Houston Juvenile Challenge Trials
HOUSTON, TX–APRIL 19, 2024–Aguila Rapida, a 2-year-old son of champion sire Tempting Dash from the powerful 'Candy' female line, broke his maiden at first asking on Friday night while posting the fastest qualifying time for the $40,000-added John Deere Sam Houston Juvenile Challenge (G3) on Quarter Horse season opening night at Sam Houston Race Park Friday.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will ...


Ensignia Picks Up Third Win, Sets Top Qualifying Mark In Adequan Sam Houston Derby Challenge Trials
HOUSTON, TX–APRIL 19, 2024–Ensignia raced to his third win in five starts this season when he defeated Frankie Jr as the post-time favorite while setting the fastest qualifying time for the $40,000-added Adequan Sam Houston Derby Challenge on Friday, San Houston Race Park's 2024 Quarter Season opening night.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will return to the Houston, Texas racetrack on Saturday, May 10th to not only vie for the winner's ...


Challenge Trials Dominate Opening-Night Program at Sam Houston Race Park
BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI HOUSTON, TX—APRIL 16, 2024—Sam Houston Race Park will open its 2024 American Quarter Horse meet with a 10-race program dominated by Bank of America Racing Challenge trials. Post time for the first race, a 300-yard first-level allowance dash for sophomore fillies, is set for 6:30 p.m. (CDT) on Friday, April 19. Twenty-nine 3-year-olds are entered in three 400-yard Adequan Sam Houston Derby Challenge trials. The 10 fastest qualifiers will meet in the May 10, $40,000-added final. Lefty, a graded stakes placed son of This Is An Eagle trained by Martin Rodriguez for owner Francisco Guadalupe Guerrero, drew post 8 and will be ridden by Francisco Giles in the first heat. A $6,000 purchase at the 2022 TQHA Yearling Sale in San Antonio, Lefty is coming off of a 2-year-old campaign during which he earned $50,225 from eight races and placed third in the 350-yard, $196,000 TQHA Sires' Cup Futurity ...


A Tres Of Eagle Gains His Third Stakes Win In Last Four Tries In AQHA RP Championship Challenge
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK–APRIL 7, 2024– A Tres of Eagle is quickly approaching the half-million dollar mark in lifetime earnings, winning his third stakes in his last four tries at Remington Park, on Sunday in ...


Heavy Favorite O Donavan Rossa Takes Victory In The $38,896 Lip Chip RP Distance Challenge
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK–APRIL 7, 2024–Favored to win, O Donavan Rossa kept to task down the middle to win the $38,896 Lip Chip Remington Park Distance Challenge [G2] on Sunday ...


A Tres Of Eagle, A Legacy Of Tales Headline AQHA Remington Park Championship Challenge
BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI OKLAHOMA CITY, OK–APRIL 5, 2024–Bella Vista Farms' A Tres Of Eagle and Donald J. Friesen's A Legacy Of Tales are two of the eight aged sprinters entered in Sunday's 440-yard, $60,000 AQHA Remington Park Championship Challenge (G2). A Tres Of Eagle is a 5-year-old son of One ...


2022 All American Futurity Winner, Hes Judgeandjury, One Of Favorites For BOA Challenge Stakes
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK–APRIL 5, 2024–Remington Park will welcome 2022 All American Futurity winner Hes Judgeandjury to Oklahoma City on Sunday as one of the favorites in the estimated $60,000 Bank of America Remington ...


O Donovan Rossa Headlines AQHA Remington Distance Challenge
BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI OKLAHOMA CITY, OK–APRIL 5, 2024–A field of seven distance specialists, led by Kelly Yother Equine's O Donovan Rossa, will face the Remington Park starter in ...


2024 AQHA Racing Challenge Championships Will Offer $1 Million In Purses

AQHA RACING—MARCH 20, 2024–The AQHA Racing Challenge continues to reward its participants, and this year will offer $1 million in purses at its AQHA Racing Challenge Championships, set to be held at The Downs at Albuquerque in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on October 26. The massive payday will be delivered to horsemen on a card that includes five ...



2024 AQHA Racing Challenge Regional Schedule
AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION—JANUARY 21, 2024–In 2024, the AQHA Racing Challenge will offer regional stakes in the AQHA Racing Championship division (440 yards, 3-year-olds and up), Adequan Derby division (400 ...


Enroll Your Horses Now To Reap The Many Benefits of the AQHA Racing Challenge

AMARILLO, TX–DECEMBER 29, 2023–There is opportunity for every horse in the AQHA Racing Challenge, and the deadline to enroll closes December 31.

After that date, rates to enroll horses will ...



A Tres Of Eagle Soars to His Richest Stakes Win in Bank of America Challenge Championship
GRANDE PRAIRIE, TX–OCTOBER 21, 2023–Bella Vista Farms' A Tres Of Eagle broke sharply from his rail post and sprinted to a half-length victory in Saturday's Grade 1, $260,751 Bank of America Challenge Championship at Lone Star Park.

Saddled by Eddie Lee Willis and making his first-ever start at Lone Star Park, A Tres Of ...


Vytaliti Upsets the $106,500 Q-Racing Distaff Challenge Championship at Lone Star
GRAND PRAIRIE, TX – OCTOBER 21, 2023 – Sent to post at odds of 7-1 in a field of nine fillies and mares, Victor Diaz's Vytaliti won Saturday's 400-yard, $106,500 Q-Racing Video Distaff Challenge Championship (G1) at Lone Star Park. Vytaliti defeated 22-1 longshot Paint Your Lips P by a neck in :19.841 and earned a 91 speed index. ...


The Grand Legend Earns First Grade 1 Win in $104,500 Cox Distance Challenge Championship
GRAND PRAIRIE, TX – OCTOBER 21, 2023 – The Grand Legend, a 7-year-old son of the FDD Dynasty stallion FDD Going Grand racing for James C. Whitener LLC, earned his first career Grade 1 victory in Saturday's 870-yard, $104,500 Cox Ranch Distance Challenge ...


Fire Cowboy Earns First Stakes Victory in $130,625 John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship
GRAND PRAIRIE, TX – OCTOBER 21, 2023 – Fire Cowboy, a sorrel son of the Apollitical Jess stallion Flying Cowboy 123 racing for Emmanuel Villarreal, scored his first career stakes win in Saturday's $130,625 John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship (G2) ...


Favorite Fox News Makes Headlines in Saturday's Grade 3 Adequan Derby Challenge Championship
GRANDE PRAIRIE, TX–OCTOBER 21, 2023–Fox News, a bay daughter of champion FDD Dynasty owned by Tom Maher of Pierre, South Dakota, won Saturday's 400-yard, $154,750 Adequan Derby Challenge Championship (G3) for 3-year-olds at Lone Star Park. Sent to post as the 3-1 choice in the full field of 10 ...


Semi Longshot Valiant Livy Wins $35,000 Nutrena Stakes In An Upset
GRANDE PRAIRIE, TEXAS–OCTOBER 21, 2023–Valiant Livy confidently wins the $35,000 Nutrena Stakes at Lone Star Park Saturday night in an upset over half-brother Sass Cartel and post-time favorite Whirlaway Valentine.

Ali Rivera was aboard Valiant Livy for her 1/2-length win in :20.060 seconds. The daughter of ...


Praying Monk Get First Stakes Victory In the $35,000 Wrangler Stakes at Lone Star Park
GRANDE PRAIRIE, TEXAS–OCTOBER 21, 2023–Ten two-year-old juveniles vied for top spot in the $35,000 Wrangler Stakes at Lone Star Park Saturday night. It was Praying Monk who scored the victory in the 350-yard stakes race, which was the fourth of ten stakes scheduled on the evenings card.

Fernando Fonseca-Soto rode Praying Monk to his ...


Fabulous Rachel Vies For Her Second Stakes Victory in 2023 Race Track Chaplaincy of America Stakes
GRANDE PRAIRIE, TEXAS–OCTOBER 21, 2023–Heavy favorite Fabulous Rachel was late up to the wire by didn't disappoint after winning the $35,250 Race Track Chaplaincy of America Stakes at Lone Star Park Saturday night by 1/2-length over You Look Famous.

Jockey Victor Urieta, Jr. steered Fabulous Rachel towards the wire finishing with a ...


Charlies Fast Man Takes The Victory In The $35,000 Equineline Stakes
GRANDE PRAIRIE, TEXAS–OCTOBER 21, 2023–Determined to score his first victory in 2023 from seven starts, Charlies Fast Man crosses the wire 1 1/2-lengths ahead of Hes Jess Dealin for the win in the $35,000 Equineline Stakes at Lone Star Park on Saturday.

Jockey Alan Hernandez piloted Charlies Fast Man to his 440-yard first place finish in ...


Daycruiser Wins First Stakes Victory By Three Lengths in the AQHA Youth Racing Experience Stakes
GRANDE PRAIRIE, TEXAS–OCTOBER 21, 2023–Five three-year-old and upward horses kicked off the first stakes race of ten for the Challenge Championship night at Lone Star Park. Daycruiser was the first stakes victor of the evening to visit the winner's circle in the $35,750 AQHA Youth Racing Experience Stakes.

With jockey Bobby Dow ...


Nothin Like You, One Fabulous Boy Headline Grade 1, $250,000 Bank of America Challenge Championship
BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI GRAND PRAIRIE, TX–OCTOBER 19, 2023–Graded stakes winners Nothin Like You and One Fabulous Boy are the early favorites for Saturday's 440-yard, $250,000 Bank of America Challenge Championship (G1) at Lone Star Park. A homebred son of Favorite Cartel trained by John Hammes for owner Bradbury Racing, Nothin Like You will be stretching out in distance off of his 1 ...


A Legacy Of Tales Puts Win Streak on the Line in Adequan Derby Challenge Championship
BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI GRAND PRAIRIE, TX–OCTOBER 19, 2023–Donald Friesen's A Legacy Of Tales, a homebred son of Wagon Tales trained by Stacy Charette-Hill, will put his five-race win streak on the line in Saturday's 400-yard, $150,000 Adequan Derby Challenge Championship (G3) for 3-year-olds at Lone Star Park. A Legacy Of Tales is coming off of a Prairie Meadows meet during which he ...


Challenge Championships: Taking His Chance
By Richard Chamberlain

GRAND PRAIRIE, TX–OCTOBER 19, 2023– There's an old saying that love ...



JT True Grit is Morning-Line Favorite for $125,000 John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship
BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI GRAND PRAIRIE, TX–OCTOBER 19, 2023–JT True Grit, a homebred son of Capo de Capi owned and trained by Jeffrey Tyer, is the 9-5 morning-line favorite for Saturday's 350-yard, $125,000 John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship (G2) at Lone Star Park. JT True Grit has won his last two starts, including the October 1, ...


Lynnder 16 to Make Fourth Consecutive Start in Grade 1 Q-Racing Video Distaff Challenge Championship
BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI GRAND PRAIRIE, TX--OCTOBER 18, 2023--Lynnder 16, a 7-year-old daughter of world champion Apollitical Jess racing for Tom Maher and Richard L. Tobin, heads a field of 10 fillies and mares entered in Saturday's 400-yard, $100,000 Q-Racing Video Distaff Challenge Championship (G1) at ...


Adequan Derby Challenge Championship: Worth The Wait
By Richard Chamberlain

GRAND PRAIRIE, TX–OCTOBER 19, 2023–The best things in life are worth waiting for. Jeff Tyer has waited a long time ...



O Donovan Rossa Draws Post 2 for Saturday's $100,000 Cox Ranch Distance Challenge Championship
BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI GRAND PRAIRIE, TX–OCTOBER 18, 2023–O Donovan Rossa, a homebred graded stakes winning 5-year-old son of world champion Apollitical Jess, drew post 2 for Saturday's 870-yard, $100,000 Cox Ranch Distance Challenge Championship (G1) at Lone Star Park. Trained by Dee Keener for owner Kelly Yother Equine LLC, O Donovan Rossa ...


Challenge Championships: A Game Of Corona Looks To Step Up To The Challenge At Lone Star Park
By Richard Chamberlain GRAND PRAIRIE, TX–OCTOBER 18, 2023–Looking ...


Challenge Championships: Can Dak Go The Distance In The Challenge Championships?
By Richard Chamberlain GRAND PRAIRIE, TX–OCTOBER 18, 2023–Sports ...


Challenge Championships: Olmstead Barn Will Be Busy Saddling Runners In BOA Challenge Championships

By Richard Chamberlain GRAND PRAIRIE, TX–OCTOBER 18, 2023–Jason and Amber Olmstead are going to be busy on Saturday ...



Challenge Championships: Apollitical Redflash Has Proven That He Is A Fighter

GRAND PRAIRIE, TX–OCTOBER 18, 2023–Apollitical Redflash will ...



Cox Ranch $100,000 Distance Challenge Championship.: The Dream Is On
By Richard Chamberlain

GRAND PRARIE, TX–OCTOBER 17, 203–From a longshot at Claremore, Oklahoma, to a starter in the $100,000-estimated Cox ...


Q-Racing Video $100,000 Distaff Challenge Championship: Here Comes Candy
By Richard Chamberlain

GRAND PRARIE, TX–OCTOBER 17, 203–Zack Stinebaugh will saddle Here Comes Candy in the $100,000-estimated Q-Racing Video ...