Sparky E Boy holds off Shining First Down to win the Bank of America California Challenge Championship(G3) at Los Alamitos.

Scott Martinez Photo

His ninth career win also earned him a spot in the $300,000 Bank of America Challenge Championship(G1) on October 27 at Prairie Meadows. The victor of that race will get a berth in the $750,000 Champion of Champions(G1) at Los Alamitos in December.

Following a slight stumble and bump at the start, the Hawkinson 5-year-old took control of race early and held off a late challenge from Shining First Down. The $32,824 winner's purse boosted the Reed Pierson homebred's earnings mark to $288,243. Francisco Ramirez trains with Rodrigo Aceves riding.

Prior to Sunday's victory his last win came in the Southern California Derby(G1) trials on November 11, 2010. Out of the Lanes Leinster mare Yr Brown Lucy, Sparky E Boy did finish second or third in the three Los Alamitos stakes in 2011.

Muller Racing, LLC's Shining First Dash posted a game effort to finish second, earning $13,968. The First Down Dash 5-year-old out of Keep On Shining, by Keep On Turning, has earned more than $418,000. Denny Ekins trains with Alex Bautista riding.

Leading trainer Paul Jones saddled Bf Farm Boy to finish a half-length back in third for owner Don Boyle and Wade Siegel. Also by Hawkinson, the 4-year-old has earned more than $98,000. Boyle and his wife Peggy bred Bf Farm Boy in Oregon from the Strawfly Special mare Shirleys Strawfly. Ramon Sanchez was aboard.

Little Bit Of Baja, Pathological Liar, Ambush Alley, Forest Fire, Hes A Strawfly and Flaming Out completed the field.