KENEWICK, WA—MAY 6, 2017—Willie Foose, under jockey Salvador Ibarra, closed with a rush to break his maiden by a neck over Mr First Dash in the $24,087 AQHA/Dick Monahan Maiden Challenge Saturday afternoon at Sun Downs. Fastest qualifier Jesses Claim Ta Fame was another neck back in the blanket finish to get third.

Owned-and-trained by Jose Lozano, this was the first career win, from five starts ,for the son of multiple stakes sire Foose. Willie Foose covered the 350 yards in :18.107 seconds, earning 90 speed index into the 6-mph crosswind.

Willie Foose, who qualified for the finals after a second-place effort in the April 22nd trials, was making his second start in the Pacific Northwest. Last season he finished third once in three starts at Los Alamitos Race Course, where he was claimed December 16 for $5,000.

Steve Burns, DVM bred the bay gelding in California from the Willie Wanta Dash mare Miss Willie Nilly. The $11,080 Maiden Challenge winners' purse boosted his career earnings mark to $12,883.

Danny Montes saddled Mr First Dash to his second-place finish for owner San Gregorio Racing Stables Inc. Gustavo De La Torre bred the Mr Jess Perry gelding in California from the First Down Dash mare Adashin First Dash. Ridden by jockey Cesar Franco, he earned $4,817.

Fastest qualifier Jesses Claim Ta Fame pocketed $2,409 for owner Chris Philbrook and trainer Hector Magallanes following his third-place effort. Edwardo Gutierrez-Sosa rode the Jesse James Jr gelding out of One Fast Trick by Dash Ta Fame. Ronald Raley bred the sorrel gelding in Oregon.

All Get Out, Ez Frosty Morn, Brewster The Rooster, Ziaomi, Cartels Jubalee, Js Whoisthefoolnow and Miss Kitty Zoom completed the field.

Editor's Note: A photo of this race will be posted if it becomes available from the track photographer.