GRANTS PASS, OR—MAY 25, 2020—In her first start since a third-place finish in the Grade 1 AQHA Distaff Challenge Championship last fall, Loco Ocho drew clear of the field handily to win the $27,676 Q-Racing Video Grants Pass Distaff Challenge Tuesday evening at Grants Pass Downs.

Under jockey Jesus Valenzuela, Loco Ocho completed the 400 yards in a quick :19.632 clocking, equaling a 105 speed index with a 5mph tailwind. The 5-year-old mare defeated First Moon Cat by 1-¼ lengths to score her ninth career win.

Trainer Garth Blattner saddled the Idaho homebred for owner Darla Barlow. Darla and Les Barlow bred the daughter of champion sire The Louisiana Cartel from the First Wrangler mare Sing Of Pride. The $13,284 winner's purse boosted Loco Ocho's lifetime earnings mark to $61,438.

A win one-year ago in the Weber Downs Distaff Challenge catapulted the filly to an invite to the 2020 $101,675 AQHA Distaff Challenge Championship(G1) in Albuquerque where she finished a game third to Lynnder 16 and Jrs Prissy Blood.

Loco Ocho's win tonight earned her a repeat performance in the 2021 $100,000-est. Q-Racing Video Distaff Challenge Championship to be held again in Albuquerque on October 23rd.

Runner-up First Moon Cat earned $6,674 for her second-place effort. A solid allowance mare trained by Bill Hof, First Moon Cat has run first or second in six allowance races at Grants Pass dating back to September 22, 2020.

The daughter of multiple stakes sire Stray Cat was bred in Washington by her owner-breeder Jeff Ray. She has compiled an (18) 3-8-2 record and earned $25,389. Taylor Smith had the riding assignment.

Second choice Foose for owner-breeder Malon Cowgill. The stakes winning Washington-bred 4-year-old picked up $2,768 to bring her bankroll total to $25,881. She is out of the Strawfly Special mare Fly Thru Time.

One Flyin Foose, Rtm Good Enough and Diva This completed the field. Jess Candy Lips and Orange Vodka Shooter were both scratched.