Ajs Favorite Ia Holds Off Cowboy 123 In $70,000 Terrace Hill Stakes

Ajs Favorite Ia held off a fast-closing Cowboy 123 to capture the $70,000 Terrace Hill Stakes on Saturday at Prairie Meadows.

Ridden by Cristian Esqueda, Ajs Favorite Ia battled for the early advantage before taking command and holding on by a nose. The 4-year-old gelding covered 400 yards in :20.188, earning an 84 speed index over a muddy track.

Owned by Stephen Moyle and trained by Lane Johnston, Ajs Favorite Ia was bred by Darling Farms. The son of Favorite Cartel is out of the Apollitical Jess mare Df Aj Green Leaves.

The $32,900 winner's share boosted his earnings to $228,811 while improving his record to eight wins, four seconds and one third from 14 starts. Earlier this season, Ajs Favorite Ia finished second in the Cy-Hawk Stakes. Last year, he won the Polk County Derby, Cy-Hawk Stakes and Cyclone Derby.

Cowboy 123 closed strongly to finish second under Miguel Ramirez for the same owner-trainer connections of Stephen Moyle and Lane Johnston. Bred by Paragon Farms LLC, the 5-year-old gelding is by Flying Cowboy 123, out of the Corona Cartel mare Corona Carmelita.

Cowboy 123 now has seven wins, three seconds and four thirds from 19 starts, with earnings of $169,289. Earlier this season, he was a finalist in the Cy-Hawk Stakes. Still in search of his first stakes victory, he has finished second in the Hawkeye Futurity and Polk County Derby and third in the Terrace Hill Stakes and Jim Bader Futurity.

Jefris Gold Wagon crossed the wire third under Jorge Torres for owner Bad Boys Racing and trainer Tony Jones. Bred by Shelby Hayden and Phillip Kowalski, the 4-year-old gelding is by Gold Heart Eagle V, out of the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Jefris Question.

Jefris Gold Wagon now has two wins, six seconds and three thirds from 16 starts, with earnings of $75,758. He finished fourth in the OQHRA Stallion Service Auction Futurity (G3) and has also been a finalist in the Horseshoe Indianapolis Derby Challenge Stakes, Horseshoe Indianapolis QHRAI Derby and Governors Stakes.

Officer Smith finished fourth, followed by Ab Boogie, Takin Too Long, Mitey High and Its A Wild World.

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