© Bailey Ivey / Ruidoso Downs

SOR, F, January 30, 2019
Jess Good Candy – Candys Cartels Cat, by Red Storm Cat

Qualifying Race: Second in the Delta Downs Distaff Challenge
2023 Record: (5) 1-1-0, $27,681
Lifetime Record: (15) 5-1-0, $120,947

Owner: Rachuan Suarez
Breeder: Pv Quarter Horse Farms LLC (OK)
Trainer: John Stinebaugh
Qualifying Jockey: Raul Ramirez, Jr.

Notes: The Oklahoma-bred daughter of All American Futurity champion Jess Good Candy ran second in the Delta Downs Distaff Challenge on August 19. Here Comes Candy broke well but was caught in a head bob at the wire.

This will be her second trip to the Bank of America Challenge Championship as she earned a berth to the 2021 John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship with her victory in the Ruidoso Downs Juvenile Challenge (G3). Here Comes Candy finished fourth in the event, which was held at The Downs of Albuquerque.

© Bailey Ivey / Ruidoso Downs

B, F, foaled March 16, 2019
Kiss My Hocks, A Snowy Cartel - by Corona Cartel

Qualifying Race: Won the Ruidoso Downs Distaff Challenge(G3)
2023 Record: (5) 2-1-0, $35,538
Lifetime Record: (16) 6-4-2, $223,042

Owner: Lonnie C. and Kody Harwood
Breeder: Flag Ranch LLC (OK)
Trainer: S. Trey Wood
Qualifying Jockey: Ricky Ramirez

Notes: The daughter of AQHA Champion 2-year-old colt Kiss My Hocks qualified for the Distaff Challenge with a victory in the Ruidoso Downs Distaff Challenge (G3) defeating nine rivals in gate to wire fashion on August 20.

Kiss the Cartel only made three starts as a juvenile, but had a successful sophomore season, running third in the Ruidoso Derby(G1), second in the Rainbow Quarter Horse Oaks(G1) and also qualifying for the All American Oaks(G1) at Ruidoso Downs.

© Dustin Orona Photography

SOR, F, foaled February 17, 2016
Apollitical Jess - Tinys Corona Queen, by Corona Cartel

Qualifying Race: Won Q-Racing Video Prairie Meadows Distaff Challenge(G3)
2023 Record: (4) 3-1-0, $42,070
Lifetime Record: (40) 21-5-5, $874,037

Owner: Tom Maher and Richard Tobin
Breeder: James E. and Marilyn Helzer (OK)
Trainer: Jason Olmstead
Qualifying Jockey: Edwin G. Escobedo

Notes: Multiple graded stakes winner Lynnder 16 will be looking for her second Q-Racing Distaff Challenge Championship(G1) title. The daughter of multiple stakes sire Apollitical Jess won the Distaff Championship in 2020, then finished fourth in 2021 and third in last year’s edition of the race at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

She won the Prairie Meadows Distaff to earn her invitation this year but was also victorious in Will Rogers Distaff Challenge in her last start, October 1.

Lynnder 16's dam is multiple stakes producer Tinys Corona Queen, who is out of Champion Tiny First Effort.

© Amber Mendez

BR, M, March 8, 2018
Jess Got Easier – Sp Saint Patty, by Saint Shackleton

Qualifying Race: Won the Grants Pass Distaff Challenge
2023 Record: (4) 4-0-0, $34,931
Lifetime Record: (24) 17-4-0, $256,252

Owner: Marge Harrison
Breeder: R L Harrison (ID)
Trainer: Heath Hillman
Qualifying Jockey: Jesus Virgen

Notes: Undefeated this year, the 5-year-old mare earned her berth to the Distaff Challenge with a victory in the Grants Pass Distaff Challenge on July 1. She was the favorite in the seven-horse field and drew off to a 2¼ length victory.

Pattys Saint won the 2021 Bank of America Distaff Challenge(G1) at the Downs of Albuquerque. The following year, she was victorious in the Mildred Vessels Handicap(G1) at Los Alamitos and was awarded a berth to the prestigious Champion of Champions(G1), where she finished seventh.
 

© Dustin Orona Photography

SOR, M, March 27, 2018
Apollitical Jess – Shazooms Pop Pop, By Shazoom

Qualifying Race: Won the Bank of America Retama Park Distance Challenge
2023 Record: (6) 1-2-2, $45,115
Lifetime Record: (22) 7-7-3, $328,404

Owner: Ruse Ranch, LLC
Breeder: Gary Kurz/ Double M Racing (TX)
Trainer: Robi A. Meche
Qualifying Jockey: Bryan Candanosa

Notes: Pops First Lady clinched her spot in the Q-Racing Video Distaff Challenge Championship(G1) from a second place finish in the in the Q-Racing Video Ruidoso Downs Distaff Challenge(G3) and most recently, as runner-up in the Lone Star Park Distaff Challenge on September 29.

The 5-year-old daughter of top stallion Apollitical Jess is no stranger to Lone Star Park as she qualified for the 2020 Dash for Cash Futurity (G2) as well as the Texas Classic Derby(G3) the following year.  Her graded stakes victories include the Juno’s Request(G1) and Easy Date Stakes (G3) in 2022 at Remington Park.

© Coady Photography

SOR, F, Foaled May 5, 2019
Mr Jess Perry – Thewayouwantmetoo, by Mr Eye Opener

Qualifying Race: Competed in the Delta Downs Distaff Challenge
2023 Record: (3) 1-0-0, $13,306
Lifetime Record: (5) 1-0-1, $14,476

Owner: Jorge Haddad and Mestre Jorge Haddad
Breeder: Juliana Hawn Holt (TX)
Trainer: Jorge Haddad
Qualifying Jockey: David Alvarez

Notes: Sally Soul Smasher will represent Louisiana in the Bank of America Distaff Challenge Championship. The 4-year-old daughter of World Champion Sire Mr Jess Perry finished fifth in the Delta Downs Distaff Challenge on August 19. LQHBA Champion rider David Alvarez piloted the filly and will have the return call at Lone Star Park.

The Oklahoma-bred filly began her career at Ruidoso Downs competing in a trial for the Rainbow Futurity(G1). She broke her maiden at Sam Houston Race Park on June 17.

© Coady Photography

B, F, foaled March 9, 2020
Lota Pyc, Ms Haulin Chic - by Dominyun

Qualifying Race: Second in the Horseshoe Indianapolis Distaff Challenge
2023 Record: (5) 1-1-1, $25,602
Lifetime Record: (7) 2-1-1, $35,592

Owner: Whiting Ranch
Breeder: Whiting Ranch(OK)
Trainer: Ricardo Martinez
Qualifying Jockey: Fernando Morin

Notes: In just her seventh career start, Sawyer Strange earned her berth to the Distaff Challenge with a runner-up finish in the Horseshoe Indianapolis Distaff Challenge on September 21. The filly by Lota Pyc was closing in the final strides under rider Fernando Morin, covering 400 yards in :20.114.

Sawyer Strange made her debut at Remington Park in a trial for the Remington Park Oklahoma Futurity. She has run three times this year at the Shelbyville, Indiana racetrack, which hosted the Bank of America Challenge Championships(G1) last October.

© Coady Photography

BR, F, foaled February 28, 2019
Hes Relentless – A Snowy Cartel, by Corona Cartel

Qualifying Race: Third in the Ruidoso Juvenile Challenge(G3)
2023 Record: (5) 4-0-1, $82,704
Lifetime Record: (18) 6-2-4, $174,258

Owner: Elva Rodriguez
Trainer: Manuel Rodolfo Rodriguez
Breeder: Flag Ranch LLC (OK)
Qualifying Jockey: Esgar Ramirez

Notes: Shesa Relentless Gal ran third in the Ruidoso Downs Distaff Challenge(G3) after winning her trial impressively on July 29.The daughter of AQHA Racing Champion sire Hes Relentless qualified for the 2022 Rainbow Quarter Horse Oaks(G1) and has some history at this year’s host site, as she qualified for the Texas Classic Derby(G1) in November, 2022.

© Dustin Orona Photography

SOR, F, March 5, 2019
Mr Jess Perry - Zynergy, by First Down Dash

Qualifying Race: Won Lone Star Distance Distaff Challenge(G3)
2023 Record: (3) 1-0-0, $20,342
Lifetime Record: (15) 6-1-2, $134,670

Owner: Victor Diaz
Breeder: Bobby D. Cox (OK)
Trainer: James J. Gonzales III
Qualifying Jockey: Ali Rivera

Notes: In just her third start of the year, Vytaliti scored a mild upset in the Lone Star Park Distaff Challenge to earn her spot in the October 21 final. The filly by Mr Jess Perry took the lead and was not challenged, covering 400 yards in a swift :20.118 seconds under Ali Rivera. The 21-year-old jockey won leading rider titles this year at both Sam Houston and Retama Park.