Phunatic, under jockey Javier Hernandez-Gallardo, setting the fastest time for the $30,000-added ohn Deere Will Rogers Juvenile Challenge at Will Rogers Downs Tuesday.

© Coady Photography

CLAREMORE, OK–SEPTEMBER 13, 2022–In only his second career start Phunatic broke his maiden and posted the fastest qualifying time from two trials Tuesday for the John Deere Will Rogers Juvenile Challenge at Will Rogers Downs.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will return to Will Rogers Downs October 2nd to vie for the winner's share of a $30,000-added purse as well as earn a trip to the October 22nd $125,000 John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship(G3) on Bank of America Challenge Championship Night. 

Making his first start since a hard fought neck loss to Heartland Futurity finalist Rosalita in his career debut at Remington Park last March, Phunatic rolled to a three-quarter length win today under jockey Javier Hernandez-Gallardo. The son of Cold Granite Stone covered the 350 yards in :17.094, an 89 speed index into a 5mph crosswind, to post the top qualifying mark.

Trainer Michelle Hurdle saddled the Oklahoma homebred for owner Edith Gutierrez Velasco.  Phunatic is out of the Chicks Doit mare Phun Size.

In his first start since breaking his maiden at Remington Park in May, Apollitical War got his second career win when he defeated fellow qualifier Good Night Country by a neck in the second trial. Jockey Cody Smith was aboard the Apollitical Blood gelding's :17.998 clocking was the second fastest of the day.

Also trained by Hurdle, Apollitical War races for owner-breeder Double O Acres LLC. Out of the Inseperable mare Taberah the 2-year-old gelding has earned $17,408 in three starts.

For the complete list of John Deere  Will Rogers Juvenile Challenge qualifiers with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

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For more information about the upcoming Will Rogers Downs meet visit www.oqhra.com.