RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—JULY 29, 2017—George and Peggy Cobb’s homebred Apollitical Approach was awarded the win in the $59,850 John Deere Ruidoso Juvenile Challenge through a disqualification during a stakes tripleheader on Saturday afternoon at Ruidoso Downs.

Also on the program were the $50,000 By By JJ and the $20,000 Bobby Dan Crenshaw Memorial (see related story).

Lethal Eagle crossed the finished line in first place, however was disqualified and placed fourth after he bumped Syms Tlc after the start. Senator Fast Jack finished fifth but was moved back to ninth for interference.

The final top-three finishers were Apollitical Approach, Feature Me Gorgeous and Syms Tlc.

Lethal Eagle, timed in :18.181 for the 350 yards, crossed the finish line a nose ahead of Apollitical Approach who ran an :18.183.

Trained by Paul Jones, Apollitical Approach was making a late charge on the outside and nearly caught the disqualified Lethal Eagle.

Apollitical Approach, a gelding by Apollitical Jess, won his John Deere Ruidoso Juvenile Challenge trial by one-half length for his other win from five career starts. He also has a second and a third on his resume. He is a homebred out of the Panther Mountain mare Panther Not A Kitty. The $25,137 John Deere winners' purse boosted his bankroll to $31,514.

Tammy Kay Johnson saddled Feature Me Gorgeous, a daughter of Giorgino, for owner Rockin J Running Horses. Jack Manning bred the bay filly in Texas from the Feature Mr Jess mare Rebas Feature. Ridden by Adrian Ramos, Feature Me Gorgeous picked up $10,773 for the effort.

Syms Tlc, a son of The Louisiana Cartel, races for owner Louis Howard and is conditioned by John Stinebaugh. Carla Moody bred the brown gelding in Texas from the Stoli mare Symphonic. Ridden by G.R. Carter, Jr., Syms Tlc earned $5,985.

Completing the official order of finish were Lethal Eagle, Runningallnight, Capis Chicks A Capo, Dancing Red Head, Miss Flyin Jess, Senator Fast Jack and Patty Del Rey.

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