HOBBS, NM—DECEMBER 3, 2017—In a stiff drive down the outside, Apollitical Brooke (13-1) defeated Believe Me Irene by a head to win the Grade 1 $200,000 Southwest Juvenile Championship Sunday at Zia Park. Swankee finished one-length back to the show position.

Under jockey Irving Delgado-Bustillos, Apollitical Brooked completed the 440 yards in :21.866 seconds, earning a 90-speed index into a 7-mph crosswind.

Shortly after the daughter of leading sire Apollitical Jess moved to the outside causing the rider if #10 Bad Neighbor to lodge foul for interference. After the stewards reviewed the video replay Apollitical Brooke was named the winner.

Trainer Ruben Leyba, Jr. saddled the winner to her fourth career win in eight starts this season for owners' Lilly Leyba and Samantha Leyba. The $94,080 winners' purse boosted the brown filly's earnings total to $132,361.

Bred in Texas by Randy and Sandy Coleman, from the Brookstone Bay mare Runaway Brooke, Apollitical Brooke was also a finalist in the Grade 2 Hobbs America Futurity at Zia Park October 8.

Trainer Jose Luis Muela saddled runner-up Believe Me Irene for owner Diamond Racing Stables. Jose Luis Enriquez rode the Valiant Hero filly out of Financial Leverage by Mr Jess Perry.

It was the first start the Believe Me Irene's off-the-board performance in the Grade 1 $3 million All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs on Labor Day. H & E Ranch, Inc. is the breeder. The $33,320 second place purse boosted the Arizona-bred's earnings to $97,800.

Swankee, a son of Mighty B Valiant, picked up $19,600 for third. Jesus Carrete owns-and-trains the Colorado-bred gelding ridden by champion jockey Ricky Ramirez. Vista Equine Colorado LLC bred Swankee from the Super de Kas mare Snazzy Be Kas.

An earner of $65,972, Swankee entered the race off a third-place effort in the $252,515 La Fiesta Futurity at Albuquerque on September 24.

Apolltical Brooke backers were rewarded with a $28.80, $17.20 and $7.80 payoff. Believe Me Irene paid $12.60 and $8.40 and Swankee returned $12 to show. The 9-1 Exacta returned $532.40 and the 9-1-6 trifecta paid a whopping $4,137.30.

Completing the order of finish were Suenos Dineros, Stryke Force, A Passion For Flashn(DH), Bad Neighbor(DH), Desire Astoli, Estrella Damm and Carris Cartel.