Challenge


Built Tough Enough Grabs Championship Invite with Adequan West/Southwest Victory
Built Tuff Enough, under jockey Zacharie Kelsey, cruises to victory in the Adequan West/Southwest Derby Challenge at Arapahoe Park.

© Coady Photograhpy
Built Tough Enough Grabs Championship Invite with Adequan West/Southwest Victory

AURORA, CO—JUNE 8, 2013—Larry and Michelle Rice and Rudy Ramirez Built Tough Enough garnered an invite to the Adequan Derby Challenge Championship(G1) Saturday afternoon by cruising to a commanding win in the $38,700 Adequan West/Southwest Derby Challenge at Arapahoe Park.

Under jockey Zacharie Kelsey the 3-year-old got a clean trip as he extended his lead with every stride over the 400 yard course in :19.643 seconds, a 98 speed index. The $25,220 winner's purse boosted his career total to $81,775.

The winning connections Built Tuff Enough, Michelle and Larry Rice, trainer Rudy Ramirez and jockey Zacharie Kelsey accept the Adequan West/Southwest Derby Challenge trophy at Arapahoe Park Saturday. © Coady Photography
Also trained by Ramirez, Built Tough Enough picked up his fifth career win in six starts and second stakes victory with Saturday's three-quarter length win. James E. Helzer bred the Mighty Invictus colt in Texas from the stakes-placed Stravinsky Thoroughbred mare Inomuff. Last season he won the Rocky Mountain Quarter Horse Futurity over the same racing surface. He was also a finalist in the Mile High Futurity(G3) at 2, but did not compete in the finals.

The $175,000 Adequan Derby Challenge Championship(G1) will be run November 9 at Los Alamitos Race Course on the Bank of America Challenge Championship Night.

Still winless in three starts this season, Im A Special Dip earned $5,740 for his second place effort. Jaime Dominguez owns-and-trains the Separatist gelding out of Royal Dip, by Royal Quick Dash. Raul Gutierrez had the riding assignment.

Jose Manuel Barron saddled Slump Buster who finished a neck back in the show position for owners Hugo Barron Sierra and Denise VanAmburgh. Alejandro Luna rode the Walk Thru Fire colt out Shenoshercorona, by Corona Cartel. Paul Jones and Thompson Racing is the breeder.

Completing the field were Fury N Pizazz, Down Rite Fast, Carters Playmate, Fabulous Ocean, Cjs Rocksolid, Nomomonkeybizness and Lethal Runaway.

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The Secretariat family was at Arapahoe Park on Belmont Day in honor of the 40th anniversary of Secretariat’s Triple Crown in 1973.

Kate Chenery Tweedy signed copies of her book Secretariat’s Meadow in a special appearance at Arapahoe Park Saturday. © Coady Photography
Kate Chenery Tweedy, the daughter of Secretariat’s owner Penny Chenery, signed copies of her book Secretariat’s Meadow, presented a trophy in the winner’s circle, and was the guest speaker at Saturday night’s Colorado Thoroughbred Breeders Association awards dinner.

Penny Chenery made a surprise appearance at the dinner to hear her daughter’s presentation about Secretariat. The Tangarae Farms’ Get Happy Mister was named 2012 Colorado-bred horse of the year.

As a 2-year-old in 2012 Get Happy Mister was undefeated in four starts at Arapahoe Park, including a 9 1/4-length win in the 6-furlong, $100,000 Mile High Futurity.