Challenge


AJs High Wins Grade 1, $350,000 Bank of America Challenge Championship
Ajs High, under jockey Stormy Smith, drives to victory in the Grade 1 $350,000 Bank of America Challenge Championship (G1) at Los Alamitos.

© Scott Martinez
AJs High Wins Grade 1, $350,000 Bank of America Challenge Championship

Q-RACING JOURNAL—OCTOBER 29, 2016—AJs High, a homebred 4-year-old son of Apollitical Jess trained by Charlton Hunt for owner Michael C. Teel, earned his 10th lifetime stakes victory in Saturday's 440-yard, $353,500 Bank of America Challenge Championship (G1) at Los Alamitos.

Under jockey Stormy Smith, AJs High made his quarter-mile trip in :21.540 while defeating 3-5 favorite BH Lisas Boy by a head. The Oklahoma-bred gelding banked the $155,540 winner's share of the purse, and he landed a berth in the 440-yard, $600,000 Champion of Champions on December 10.

AJs High was making his first-ever start at Los Alamitos. All told, he has won 13 of 20 races and has earned $675,114, of which $345,029 has been banked this season. The gelding won three graded stakes at Remington Park last spring, including the 400-yard, $100,000 Sooner State Stakes (G1) for Oklahoma-breds on May 29. The gelding is out of Regally Rare, by Rare Form.

The winning connections of Ajs High include owner/breeder Michael Teel. © Scott Martinez
Racing for owner-trainer and breeder Bill Holburg, Bh Lisas Boy earned $70,700 for second. The Mighty Invictus Washington-bred is from the Snowbound (TB) mare Apollo Snowbound. Jesus Ayala was up. Bh Lisa Boy has eanred $253,578.

Eyesa Famous Eagle ran third, a half of a length behind AJs High. Havid Canez saddled the One Famous Eagle gelding for owner Ricardo Ramiez. Bred in Texas by Burnett Ranches LLC, Eyesa Famous Eagle earned $35,350 to boost his career mark to $248,372. His is out of the Eyesa Special mare Eyesa Glass and was ridden by Cruz Mendez.

Heat Warning, Tempting Valor, Jrc Callas First, Jess A Cowboy, Rockin Disco, Stella Corona, Bf Farm Boss, Cruisinfourabruisin, and Fantsy Pants completed the order of finish.

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