Q-RACING JOURNAL—OCTOBER 17, 2014—The Bank of America Challenge Championships kicked off on Friday night at Prairie Meadows near Des Moines, Iowa, with three Challenge races, two Iowa-bred stakes and the rich Valley Junction Futurity (see related story). The action continues on Saturday night with the six major Challenge Championship races, two Challenge undercard stakes and three other stakes. Following is a recap of Friday’s Challenge undercard races:

$20,000 Nutrena Starter Allowance

The first Bank of America Challenge event of the evening was the $20,000 Nutrena Starter Allowance, and even-money favorite Stormin Hero came through with a three-quarter length victory under jockey Yordanis Amaro. Bred in Texas by Todd and Jodi Horton and owned and trained by Ricardo Martinez, the 3-year-old filly by Valiant Hero clocked 350 yards in :17.481 with a 20 mph tail wind. The filly improved her career record to 13-3-2-1 with earnings of $31,751.

JZ Zoomin Wootan, making just the third start of his career for owner/trainer Roberto Gomez, finished a clear second with Cartels Runaway in third for owner Double R Horse Racing LLC and trainer Zachary Quezada.

Eye Fly Bye, Struttin High, Boogie Board and Mafoosa completed the field.

$20,000 Q-Racing Video Distance Stakes

The $20,000 Q-Racing Video Distance Stakes went to Reliance Ranches LLC’s Streakin Zoomer, who took an early lead from post four in the 870-yard contest and scored by 1Ύ lengths at the wire with David Pinon aboard for conditioner Ed Hardy.

This marked the second stakes win of the year for the Louisiana-bred son of Shazoom after he took the North Dakota Horse Park Bonus Challenge in Fargo. All told, he has banked $69,589 with a record of 25-7-8-0. The winner, who was timed in :45.700, was bred by J.E., D.C and C.T. Jumonville.

Another son of Shazoom completed the exacta as Movin On’s Zonic Zoom closed well for trainer Mike Taylor. Favorite Hastabealeader, a two-time winner at the Prairie Meadows meet, finished third for trainer Shilo Johnson and owner John Johnson.

Also A Feature, Arbeka Turbo Jet, Cashin The Wagon, Carny Streakin Dash and Trs Hotshot Adam completed the field.

$20,000 AQHA Members Plus Stakes

In the $20,000 AQHA Members Plus Stakes for fillies and mares, favorite Glory Rider scored a game half-length victory over 44-1 longshot CC Tres. With Cesar Gomez in the saddle for trainer Kasey Willis and owner You and Me Partners, the Oklahoma-bred filly by Valiant Hero clocked the 400-yard distance in :19.580 to pick up the second Challenge stakes win of her career.

Last year she captured the Race for Hope Bonus Challenge at Canterbury Park, and over her career she has won four of 16 starts with earnings of $93,478. Homer Hill bred her out of the On a High mare Mighty B Doll.

Ralph Young’s CC Tres, who this year has raced in Wyoming, Montana and South Dakota, finished second for trainer Mike Taylor. Daisy To Go, trained by William Harris for owner Boyce and Siegel LLC, was third.

Cute Ivory Girl, Pyc Pick Your Pocket, Patriots Dream 123, Foo Foo Dust, Camille, Ivory Bell and Cabo Corona.

Watch the Bank of America Challenge Championships live at Q-Racing Video..

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The Bank of America Challenge Championships are November 18 at Prairie Meadows in Altoona, Iowa.

AQHA News and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHARacing on Twitter, watch the AQHA Racing Newscast and visit www.aqharacing.com.