© Coady Photography

Gr, G, February 15, 2016
Dominyun – Fleet Ellis, by Fishers Dash

Qualifying Race: Won the Bank of America Retama Park Distance Challenge
2023 Record: (6) 3-1-1, $89,164
Lifetime Record: (30) 9-7-1, $454,981

Owner: Blue Star Racing (Fisher and Porras)
Breeder: Bullard Farms (TX)
Trainer: James J. Gonzales III
Qualifying Jockey: Gerardo Vera

Notes: The Texas-bred veteran began his career at Retama Park winning the 2018 TQHA Sale Futurity(G3), his first of five stakes victories. Versatile at distances including 350, 550 and 870 yards, Dak earned his berth to the Bank of America Cox Distance Challenge with a victory in the Remington Park Distance Challenge (G2) in April.

After making four starts at the Oklahoma City racetrack, Dak won the  $50,000 Bill Reed Memorial Stakes at Ruidoso Downs on September 2. He earned a 93 speed index, covering 870 yards in :45.383 seconds.  

© Coady Photography

Br, G, January 24, 2016
Coronas Blackdiamond -Magic Yard-TB,  By Ghazi-TB

Qualifying Race: Second in the Wyoming Downs Distance Challenge
2023 Record: (6) 2-2-1, $35,326
Lifetime Record: (28) 11-6-1, $177,823

Owner: Jewel Ramirez
Breeder: Sarah E Donaldson Rioux (NM)
Trainer: Clay Teeter
Qualifying Jockey: Nakia Teeter

Notes: Grade 1 stakes-winner Dance the Dust off has made his mark in the distance division since running fifth in the 2020 Remington Park Distance Challenge(G2). A victory in the 2021 Will Rogers Distance Challenge(G3) earned his first appearance in the Bank of America Distance Challenge in Albuquerque, when he finished fifth to Wascallywittlewabbit. He has made five starts in 2023, finishing second in the Wyoming Downs Distance Challenge, and most recently, runner-up to O Donovan Rossa in the Will Rogers Distance Challenge (G3).

The husband and wife team of Clay and Nakia Teeter were overjoyed at the spectacular performance of their gelding in last year's Bank of America Cox Challenge Championship Night at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Sent off at odds of 18-1, the New Mexico-bred rallied gamely for the victory, defeating top distance specialists Shockingly Famous and Wascallywittlewabbit.

© Dustin Orona Photography

B, G, February 25, 2020
One Sweet Jess -Twig by Oak Tree Special

Qualifying Race: Second in the Lone Star Distance Challenge
2023 Record: (4) 1-2-0, $19,977
Lifetime Record: (12) 3-2-1, $36,260

Owner: Rose Mary Chandler
Breeder: Rose Mary Chandler (TX)
Trainer: Toby Keeton
Qualifying Jockey: Bryan Candanosa

Notes: Jess Rite earned his invitation to the Cox Distance Challenge Championship with his runner-up finish to The Grand Legend in the $24,684 Lone Star Park Distance Challenge on September 29.

Bred in Texas by Rose Mary Chandler, who also bred Grade 1 winner Acorn as well as Twig, the dam of Jess Rite. Each of Jess Rite’s 12 career starts have been in Texas, beginning with his debut at Sam Houston Race Park in a trial for the 2022 Sam Houston Futurity.

© Coady Photography

Ch, G, January 29, 2018
Apolllitical Jess – Shanachee, By Country Chicks Man

Qualifying Race: Won the Will Rogers Distance Challenge
2023 Record: (5) 3-1-0, $81,904
Lifetime Record: (31) 10-6-3, $245,184

Owner: Kelly Yother Equine, LLC
Breeder: J Garvan Kelly (OK)
Trainer: Dee Keener
Qualifying Jockey: Bryan Candanosa

Notes: The son of elite stallion Apollitical Jess ran second in the Remington Park Distance Challenge(G1) in June and clinched his qualifying spot in the final with a victory in the $25,806 Will Rogers Downs Distance Challenge(G3) on October 1. He was sent off as the prohibitive favorite, winning in gate to wire fashion in a final time of :45.936 seconds, equaling a 94 speed index.

Another finalist demonstrating his versatility in his career, O Donovan Rossa is a multiple graded stakes winner with titles in the SLM Big Daddy Stakes(G3) and Pauls Valley Stakes at Remington Park.

© Gene WIlson & Associates

B, G, May 9, 2016
Desirio – Stoli Girl, By Stoli

Qualifying Race: Won the Wyoming Downs Distance Challenge(G3)
2023 Record: (4) 1-1-1, $34,197
Lifetime Record: (31) 3-6-5, $73,676

Owner: Goodrich Quarter Horses
Breeder: The Running A LLC (UT)
Trainer: Scott Goodrich
Qualifying Jockey: Jesus Virgen

Notes: After finishing third in the 2022 Wyoming Downs Distance Challenge, the son of Desirio won this year’s final on June 25 at the Evanston racetrack. He defeated the heavy favorite, Dance the Dust Off, 2022 AQHA Distance Challenge Champion(G1), by a margin of 1 ˝ lengths.

The 7-year-old gelding made four starts this year, two at Wyoming Downs before shipping to the Downs at Alburquerque where he ran in an 870 yard allowance on September 8. His most recent start was a third-place finish in the $56,100 Downs at Albuquerque Distance Challenge (G2) on September 25.

© Ann Switalski Photography

Blk, G, March 8, 2019
FDD Dynasty – Eyesa Precious, By Eyesa Special

Qualifying Race: Wyoming Downs Distance Challenge
2023 Record: (4) 1-1-1, $10,361 
Lifetime Record: (20) 3-1-4, $42,887

Owner: Debra M Gotovac
Breeder: Debra M Gotovac (TX)
Trainer: Bradley C. Bolen
Qualifying Jockey: Roman Cruz

Notes: Despite balking prior to loading into the gate for the $25,806 Will Rogers Downs Distance Challenge(G3), Debra Gotovac’s homebred rallied to complete the exacta, and earned his spot in the Cox Distance Challenge at Lone Star Park

The son of champion Fdd Dynasty began his career at Ruidoso Downs, competing in trials for both the Ruidoso and Rainbow Futurity. He qualified for the 2022 West Texas Derby(G2) and Sunland Park. This year he competed in 870-yard allowance races at Louisiana Downs and the Gillespie Fair meet prior to qualifying for the Bank of America Distance Challenge.

© Coady Photography

S, G, February 10, 2016
FDD Going Grand – Legendary Seis, By Tres Seis

Qualifying Race: Won the Lone Star Distance Challenge
2023 Record: (5) 3-1-0, $48,003
Lifetime Record: (31) 9-5-4, $166,718

Owner: James C. Whitener, LLC
Breeder: Mercy Hinklins Horse Farm LLC (TX)
Trainer: Adan Guzman
Qualifying Jockey: Noe Villatoro

Notes: Qualifying in one of the final regional Challenge opportunities this year, The Grand Legend captured the $24,684 Lone Star Park Distance Challenge on September 29. Sent off as the favorite, the son of Fdd Going Grand drew off to a dominant victory, winning by a margin of 6 ¾ lengths in a time of :45.953 seconds.

The well-traveled Texas-bred returns to his roots as he makes his first start in the Bank of America Challenge Championships. His graded stakes appearances included a tenth-place finish in the 2021 Refrigerator Invitational(G1) at Remington Park and the Sam Houston Classic(G2) in 2022.

B, G, March 12, 2019
Jess Good Candy – Volcoms Delight by Volcom

Qualifying Race: Won the Bank of America Retama Park Distance Challenge
2023 Record: (7) 2-3-1, $61,016
Lifetime Record: (14) 3-4-3, $74,563

Owner: Nove Racing, LLC
Breeder: George P. Mitchell II (OK)
Trainer: James J. Gonzales III
Qualifying Jockey: Gerardo Vera

Notes: Fairly new to competing at 870 yards, this son of 2015 All American Futurity(G1) champion Jess Good Candy, has shown his affinity for the distance in each of his seven starts this year. He won a $23,000 allowance at Remington Park on May 26, adding two runner-up finishes at Ruidoso over the summer. 

On September 24, Volcoms Favorite finished second behind Big Moon Dawg in the $56,100 Downs at Albuquerque Distance Challenge(G2). This will be the Oklahoma-bred’s first appearance in a Bank of America Challenge Championship.