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Power Outage Forces Cancellation of Final Three AQHA Challenge Championship Races; Reset Sunday
By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–OCTOBER 18, 2025—Track officials at The Downs at Albuquerque were forced to cancel the final three races of Saturday’s AQHA Challenge Championship card after a city-wide power outage plunged the track into darkness late in the program.

The affected races — the $265,000 AQHA Racing Challenge Championship (G1), $165,000 Adequan Derby Challenge Championship (G3), and $140,000-estimated John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship (G2) — have been rescheduled for Sunday, October 19, with first post set for 12:30 p.m. (MDT).

Saturday’s card featured 10 stakes events, including five undercard stakes and five Challenge Championship races.



Alliekat Dynasty Prevails In Grade 1 Cox Ranch Distaff Challenge Championship
By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–OCTOBER 18, 2025–Alliekat Dynasty added another major title to her résumé Saturday night with a determined finish in the $125,800 Cox Ranch Distaff Challenge Championship (G1) at The Downs at Albuquerque.

The 4-year-old sorrel filly stopped the clock in 19.206 ...


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Handin Out Candy Captures $118,975 Q-Racing Video Distance Challenge Championship at Albuquerque
By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

ALBUQUERQUE, NM—OCTOBER 17, 2025—Showing early speed and strong staying power, Handin Out Candy proved much the best in Saturday’s Grade 1 $118,975 Q-Racing Video Distance Challenge Championship at Albuquerque Downs, covering the 870 yards in 44.496 seconds with a 102 speed index.

Ridden confidently by Omar Iturralde for owner Emilio Perez and trainer Paul Sedillo, the 6-year-old sorrel gelding broke sharply, took command early, and never looked back, crossing the wire two and one-quarter lengths in front under clear skies with a ...


Challenge Championships: The Field Contesting The Racing Challenge Championships Is A Salty Bunch

By Andrea Caudill

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–OCTOBER 16, 2025–As is typical for each running of the AQHA Racing Challenge Championship (G1), the field set to contest Saturday's edition at The Downs at Albuquerque is a salty bunch. This year among those who will face the starter are two reigning race champions and a recently crowned Supreme Race Horse, ...



Championship Night Lights Up Albuquerque Downs With Elite Fields And $265,000 Feature
By Stallionesearch / Louanne Wainscott

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–OCTOBER 16, 2025—All eyes in the Quarter Horse racing world will be on Albuquerque Downs this weekend, as the track hosts one of the most prestigious events on the calendar: Championship Night, headlined by the $265,000 Grade 1 AQHA Racing Challenge Championship. A star-studded ten-race card is on tap, with qualifiers and stakes winners from across the nation descending upon the New Mexico oval for a shot at glory.

Qualifiers have battled through regional Challenge events all year to earn their spots in these elite finals. The stakes are high, the fields are deep, and the sport’s top equine and human athletes are ready for the ...


Challenge Championships: First Famous Prize Knows About Consistency, Like Her Trainer Taught Her

By Andrea Caudill

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–OCTOBER 16, 2025–Veteran trainer Buckey Stockwell of Camrose, Alberta, is set to saddle First Famous Prize in the Adequan Derby Challenge Championship (G3) this coming Saturday, October 18 at The Downs at Albuquerque ...



Challenge Championships: Wynnchester Is Making Sure Everybody Has Fun
Courtesy AQHA Racing

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–OCTOBER 16, 2025–Wynnchester is pointing to Saturday's Q-Racing Video Distance Challenge (G1) with a deep support team behind him.

While he comes into the race off a rallying win in the $26,554 Q-Racing Video Will Rogers Distance Challenge in late September, which will likely garner him popularity with the betting public, his biggest group of supporters is likely ...



Challenge Championships: Flyin Summer and Shaundas Eagle are Representing Family Ties
Courtesy AQHA Racing

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–OCTOBER 15, 2025– Representing the Intermountain and West Coast in Saturday's John Deere Juvenile Challenge during the AQHA Racing Challenge Championships at The Downs at Albuquerque, Flyin Summer is also representing the power of family in the American Quarter Horse racing industry. The bay filly was bred by Darling Farms and ...


Two Two 22 Surges Late to Win Adequan Will Rogers Derby Challenge
By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

CLAREMORE, OK–SEPTEMBER 28, 2025–Two Two 22 showed grit and determination in Sunday’s $53,014 Adequan Will Rogers Derby Challenge, closing with a furious late kick to earn his first career stakes victory.

Despite hopping from the gates and losing ground early, the bay gelding dug in under jockey Mario Delgado to chase down Ketzal at the wire, scoring by a half-length. He stopped the clock for the 400-yard distance in 19.616 seconds, earning a 102 speed index. The effort ...


Alliekat Dynasty Captures Grade 3 Cox Ranch Will Rogers Distaff Challenge
By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

CLAREMORE, OK—SEPTEMBER 28, 2025—Alliekat Dynasty turned in a sharp effort on Sunday afternoon at Will Rogers Downs, surging to victory in the Grade 3, $36,660 Cox Ranch Will Rogers Distaff Challenge, a 400-yard test for AQHA Challenge-enrolled fillies and mares three and older.

The 4-year-old daughter of five-time world champion sire FDD Dynasty out of Pollitical Scorpion, by Apollitical Jess, broke alertly under jockey Roman Cruz and never looked back, stopping the timer in 19.832 seconds against a strong 8-mph tailwind, earning a 96 speed index. ...


Wynnchester Rallies Late For First Stakes Win In Q-Racing Will Rogers Distance Challenge-G3
By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

CLAREMORE, OK–SEPTEMBER 28, 2025–Wynnchester finally broke through at the stakes level on Sunday afternoon, scoring a determined head victory in the $26,554 Q-Racing Will Rogers Distance Challenge-G3.

With Mario Delgado in the irons, Wynnchester stopped the clock in 46.045 seconds for 870 yards, earning a 93 speed index. The  870-yard win was worth $13,012 for owner Lucky Ladies. Sent off at 5-1 ...


Kowboy Boogie Scores in $36,660 John Deere Will Rogers Juvenile Challenge
By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

CLAREMORE, OK—SEPTEMBER 28, 2025—Fastest qualifier Kowboy Boogie delivered on his promise Sunday afternoon at Will Rogers Downs, capturing the Grade 3 $36,660 John Deere Will Rogers Juvenile Challenge over 350 yards for AQHA Challenge-enrolled 2-year-olds.

Under jockey Bryan Candanosa, the bay ...


Cowgurl Up Prevails in Cox Ranch Lone Star Distaff Challenge
By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

GRAND PRAIRIE, TX—SEPTEMBER 27, 2025—Cowgurl Up surged late under jockey Raul Hernandez, Jr. to capture the $28,261 Cox Ranch Lone Star Distaff Challenge at 400 yards for AQHA Challenge-enrolled fillies and mares three years old and up.

The sorrel daughter of leading sire Flying Cowboy 123 stopped the timer in 19.671 seconds, earning a 94 speed index with a 2 mph crosswind on a fast track.

With the victory, Cowgurl Up also earned a coveted berth ...


Paige Prevails in Cox Ranch New Mexico Distaff Challenge at The Downs at Albuquerque
By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

ALBUQUERQUE, NM—SEPTEMBER 26, 2025—Paige surged in the final yards to capture the $52,266 Cox Ranch New Mexico Distaff Challenge on Friday afternoon at The Downs at Albuquerque, edging rival Amber Alerrt in a thrilling finish at 400 yards. ...