Ajs Wingman Leads Treadwell One-Two Finish in $75,000 Paul and Virginia Treadwell Stakes at Eureka Downs

Ajs Wingman delivered a front-running victory in Saturday's $75,000 Paul and Virginia Treadwell Stakes for Kansas-bred Quarter Horses at Eureka Downs, leading a one-two finish for owner and breeder Paul Treadwell in the race named in honor of Treadwell and his wife, Virginia.

The 3-year-old gelding, sent off as the 7-10 favorite, broke sharply from post five and maintained his advantage throughout the 400-yard contest, crossing the finish line three-quarters of a length ahead of stablemate Racket Ridge. Ajs Wingman completed the distance in 19.763 seconds, earning a 93 speed index over a sloppy racing surface with a 10 mph headwind.

Trained by Jason L. Olmstead and ridden by Ramiro Haro Garcia, Ajs Wingman is a sorrel son of leading sire Apollitical Jess out of Xoom, by Shazoom. The Kansas-bred gelding was bred and is owned by Paul Treadwell.

Racket Ridge, also owned and bred by Treadwell and trained by Olmstead, secured second after chasing his stablemate throughout the race. The 3-year-old gelding, ridden by Ryder Olmstead, finished a half-length ahead of third-place finisher Baja Lights.

Another son of Apollitical Jess, Racket Ridge is out of Lovepop, by Pyc Paint Your Wagon. The gelding was the second wagering choice at odds of 2.30-1.

Baja Lights rallied from fifth early to secure third, finishing a neck ahead of El Paisano. The 4-year-old filly, owned and trained by Jose Hernandez-Martinez, was ridden by Gonzalo R. Valles Jr.

Bred by Starlet Hunt, Baja Lights is a daughter of The Marfa Lights out of Baja Rosa, by Dean Miracle. She was offered at the 2023 Heritage Place Fall Mixed Sale, where she was a $6,500 RNA.

The victory was particularly meaningful for Treadwell, whose longtime involvement in Kansas Quarter Horse racing was recognized through the stakes bearing his and Virginia's names. His ownership and breeding program accounted for both of the top two finishers in Saturday's restricted event.

The remaining finishers were El Paisano, who finished fourth, followed by Canelosecret.

The Paul and Virginia Treadwell Stakes was contested for Kansas-bred Quarter Horses, 3 years old and older, with the $75,000 guaranteed purse funded through the Kansas Bred Development Fund.

Editor's Note: Although the Paul and Virginia Treadwell Stakes carried a guaranteed purse of $75,000, the official chart did not provide individual purse earnings at the time of publication. Purse money for the top three finishers will be posted when it becomes available.

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