Racing


World Champion Danjer Dominates $300,000 Fall Championship (G1) - CORRECTION
Danjer, ridden by Cody Smith, winning the $300,000 Albuquerque Fall Quarter Horse Championship (G1) on Sunday.

© Coady Photography
World Champion Danjer Dominates $300,000 Fall Championship (G1) - CORRECTION

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–SEPTEMBER 25, 2022–World Champion Danjer dominated the $300,000 Downs at Albuquerque Fall QH Championship (G1) on Sunday.

Danjer and his jockey Cody Smith were the heavy favorites to win. The duo ripped out of hole one in the lead and never looked back crossing the finish line 3/4-lengths ahead of Famous Chief and his rider Francisco Calderon in :21.091 seconds. Due to an incorrectly reported chart following the race, it was reported that Danjer broke the track record. The 440 yard track record of :20.708 set November 14, 2010, is still held by Posies Woodette.

The Fall Championship (G1) makes the third consecutive stakes win for Danjer this season, including the Canterbury Park Championship Challenge (G3) where he set a new track record and the Debbie Schauf Remington Park Invitational Championship Stakes (G1).  

The winning connections of Danjer accept The Downs At Albuquerque Fall Championship Stakes trophy ib Sunday.
© Coady Photography

Amongst his many lifetime accolades, Danjer holds the World Champion title, 2-time AQHA champion, 13-times stakes winner and AQHA Supreme Race Horse. The six-year-old son of FDD Dynasty has 18 career wins, 6 seconds and 3 thirds from 30 starts with over $1.8 million in earnings.

Trainer/breeder Dean Frey of Oklahoma owns Danjer in partnership with Downtime Enterprises, LLC and Billy G. Smith.

Trainer Jason Driver saddled runner-up Famous Chief who clocked a 126 speed index in :19.955 seconds crossing the wire a 1/2-length ahead of Jessapolliticalgirl and Hector Aldrete.

Famous Chief’s has two stakes wins in 2022, including the TQHA Classic Stakes (G2) and Sam Houston Classic Stakes (G2). With 7 career wins, the son of One Famous Eagle has earned $326,477 in his career.

Owner Douglas Scharbauer purchased Famous Chief for $35,000 in the 2019 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale. Bred by Clarence Scharbauer of Texas, the four-year-old gelding is out of Rockin Regent by Gold Regent.

Coming in third was Jessapolliticalgirl who is trained by Jose Ingnacio DeHerrera. The multiple stakes finalist has six career wins with $166,035 in earnings. 

Breeder Windy Acres Stables of Texas sold Jessapolliticalgirl for $54,000 in the 2018 Heritage Place Yearling Sale. The five-year-old daughter of World Champion sire Apollitical Jess is out of Kirklyns Dynasty by FDD Dynasty.

Rounding out the order of finish is Tlc Signature, Apolliticalfastprize, Pops First Lady, Hesa Party Wagon, Valentin Jqm, Mias Irish Dynasty and Muy Peligrosito.

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Albuquerque Downs Racetrack and Casino is located in the heart of Albuquerque at Expo New Mexico, the home of the New Mexico State Fair, and general admission and parking are always free (via the casino entrance on Louisiana and Central). For more information, visit abqdowns.com and click on the "Racing" link at the top of the homepage.