Relentless Rocket Gets Fourth Career Victory in the $25,000 Valley Junction Juvenile Stakes

ALTOONA, IA–SEPTEMBER 27, 2024–Relentless Rocket scored his second career stakes on Friday in the $25,000 Valley Junction Juvenile Stakes at Prairie Meadows.

With leading rider of the meet Ramiro Garcia in the irons, Relentless Rocket drifted out early, steadily gaining momentum for a neck finish on the fast track. The heavy favorite clocked a 97-speed index in 17.473 seconds, defeating Cash Back Hero, ridden by Angel Ramirez and Curlie D, piloted by Francisco Ramirez Jr. The 350-yard effort paid $4.20 for the win on 1-1 odds.

Conditioned by leading trainer of the meet Jason Olmstead, Relentless Rocket has won four of his seven starts. Except for his trial heat, where he placed fourth, the son of Hes Relentless has won the last four of five starts since breaking his maiden at Canterbury Park in July, including the Northlands Futurity.

The $8,000 payday increased Relentless Rocket's earnings to $58,005 for owner Tom Maher, who also bred him in partnership with Bill Maher in South Dakota. The bay gelding is out of Mai Corona by Corona Cartel.

Trainer Stacy Charette-Hill saddled runner-up Cash Back Hero for owners Becky and Warren Johnson. The son of Valiant Hero has lit the board three of five starts with one win and $15,357 in the bank. Flag Ranch LLC bred the brown gelding in Oklahoma out of Pops Zoomin Fury by Furyofthewind.

Third-place finisher Curlie D has a record of 1-3-3 from seven starts with $32,021 in earnings, including a second-place finish in the Northlands Futurity. Jason Olmstead trains the daughter of Uncle D for owner-breeder Cavenaugh Quarter Horses of Oklahoma. She is out of Veuve Clicquot by Pyc Paint Your Wagon.

Apollitcal Menace, Kool Dynasty, One Prime Eagle, Light My Lips, Ferarri Corona, and Curls Dream Wagon round out the order of finish.

Editor's note: A photo of this race will be posted when it becomes available from the track photographer.

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About Prairie Meadows
Prairie Meadows began operations as a nonprofit organization in 1989 to promote economic development, jobs, agriculture, and tourism in Iowa. Prairie Meadows has given $2.2 billion to the state of Iowa through taxes, grants, and charitable donations. Prairie Meadows offers slot machines, table games, live and simulcast racing, sports wagering, hotel accommodations, entertainment, and more.

The 2024 Prairie Meadows 80-day meet in Altoona runs May 10 – September 28.