Ajs Wingman Earns First Stakes Victory In $100,000 All American Invitational

Ajs Wingman added his first career stakes victory Sunday, holding off Stellor by a half-length in the $100,000 All American Invitational Quarter Horse Stakes at The Downs at Albuquerque.

Ajs Wingman broke on top under jockey Ramiro Haro Garcia and led throughout the 440-yard event. The 3-year-old gelding drifted late but held Stellor at bay, stopping the timer in :21.008 for a 99 speed index over the fast track. A 5 mph crosswind was recorded.

Sent off at odds of 3-1, Ajs Wingman earned $44,094 for the victory, increasing his career earnings to $266,834. He has won five of 15 starts with four seconds and one third.

The victory was the first career stakes win for Ajs Wingman, who entered Sunday's Invitational following a runner-up effort in the Rainbow Invitational Stakes. Earlier this season, he was also a finalist in the Heritage Place Derby(G2) and as a 2-year-old, he finished fifth in the $3 million All American Futurity(G1).

Jason Olmstead trains Ajs Wingman for owner and breeder Paul Treadwell. The Kansas-bred son of leading sire Apollitical Jess is out of Xoom, by Shazoom.

Stellor finished a half-length back in second to earn his first career black-type placing and $18,898. The son of Dulce Sin Tacha has compiled a 1-3-3 record from 10 starts and earnings of $53,508. He was a finalist in the Ruidoso Juvenile during his freshman campaign.

Samuel Mendoza trains Stellor for owner Victor Manuel Mendoza. Juan Pulido was aboard the gelding, who was bred by GR & Shaena Carter from Stella Lou, by One Famous Eagle.

Another half-length back, Tga Cowboy held third by a head to also earn his first career black-type placing. The Wesley Giles trainee collected $10,499 for Mi Serenity, increasing his earnings to $37,302 from 14 starts. He has two wins, one second and three thirds.

Noe Garcia Jr. rode Tga Cowboy, who was also a finalist in the Rainbow Invitational earlier this summer. Ted Abrams bred the son of Flying Cowboy 123 out of Jess A Classy Lassy, by Mr Jess Perry. He was a $105,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate.

Envestor finished fourth, followed by Point Blank Range and Jc Speeding in a dead heat for fifth, Apolitical Valor and Relentless Wine.

Kj Xquizit Jess, Rovos Rail and Unleeshed were scratched.

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