Challenge


Specials Gold, Smoke On The Water Top Turf Paradise Challenge Trials
Specials Gold, under jockey Luis Gutierrez, Jr., sets the top mark in the Bank of America Turf Paradise Championship Challenge trials on Saturday.

© Coady Photography
Specials Gold, Smoke On The Water Top Turf Paradise Challenge Trials

PHOENIX, AZ—SEPTEMBER 20, 2014—Turf Paradise hosted four AQHA Racing Challenge trials Saturday—two for the Bank of America Challenge Championship and two for the John Deere Juvenile Challenge.

The 10 fastest qualifiers from both sets of trails will return on Saturday, October 4 to vie not only for the winner's purse in their respective races, but also to garner the final starting spots in the Bank of America Challenge Championships to be run October 15 at Prairie Meadows.

Bank of America Turf Paradise Challenge Trials

Defending champion Special Gold posted the top qualifying time for the $60,000-added Bank of America Turf Paradise Challenge Championship trials after getting a half-a-length win over Ambash Alley. Special Gold completed the 440 yards in :21.406, a 102 speed index.

The gelded son of Voghts Gold is owned by Gilbert Jasso and trained by Jose Botello. Saturday's trial win was the first start of his 5-year-old season. He has earned $108,800 from 26 races, and his five wins include a victory in last year’s Bank of America Turf Paradise Championship Challenge.

Fort Bragg, a 4-year-old son of Tres Seis, won the first trial and set the third fastest time of :21.689 seconds. Cesar DeAlba rode the gelding out of Protea Plus More, by Check Him Out, for owner Marcos Antonio Pesqueira. Eloy Mendoza is the trainer.

For the compete list of Bank of America Turf Paradise qualifiers, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

John Deere Turf Paradise Juvenile Trials

Two-time graded futurity winner Smoke On The Water defeated Jess One Looke in the last of two trails to set the fastest qualifying time for the John Deere Turf Paradise Juvenile Challenge. Under jockey David Reyes-Frisby the Smoke On Water gelding completed the 350 yards in a quick :17.706, a 96 speed index.

Smoke On The Water (#6), under jockey David Reyes-Frisby, setting the fastest John Deere Juvenile trial time at Turf Paradise Saturday afternoon. © Coady Photography
Winner of both the AQHA President's Spring Futurity and the Four Corners Futurity(G3), Smoke On The Water has won four of six starts and earned more than $76,724. Norma Reyes owns the Robert Gentry Kentucky bred son of Spit Curl Jess out of Smokin (TB) by Smoke Glacken (TB).

Saddled by Matthew Fales, Jess One Looke held on for the second fastest time of :17.776. Ralph and Carrie Fales and Elaine Robles-Cota own the Jesse James Jr filly out of Champagne Lane, by Lanes Lenister. MJ Farms is the breeder.

For the compete list John Deere Turf Paradise Juvenile qualifiers, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.