Challenge


Merial Distaff Challenge An Easy Win For Favorite Jess Paint Your Lips
Jess Paint Your Lips, under champion jockey Cody Jensen, winning the $37,260 Merial Distaff Challenge at Lone Star Park.

© Martin Canales / StallioneSearch
Merial Distaff Challenge An Easy Win For Favorite Jess Paint Your Lips

GRAND PRAIRIE, TX—SEPTEMBER 29, 2017—Michael Pohl's Just Paint Your Lips looked like a winner going into the paddock at Lone Star Park for Friday’s eighth race, the $37,260 Merial Distaff Challenge, and that she was.

The 4-yr-old sorrel mare by Jess Louisiana Blue was the heavy favorite in the race. She did not disappoint, winning the 400-yard stake by ˝ length in a final time of :19.567 on a muddy (sealed) track.

The winning connections of Jess Paint Your Lips accept the Merial Lone Star Distaff stakes trophy Friday night.
© Dustin Orona Photography
The win was her second this year for a perfect 2-for-2 record. Her career record now reads 7-6-0-1. The winner’s share of the purse increased her earnings to $72,632.

Pohl bred the sorrel filly in Oklahoma from the Corona Cartel mare Paint Your Lips, a sister to leading sires Pyc Paint Your Wagon and Ivory James.

Champion jockey Cody Jenson was aboard for trainer Stacy Charette-Hill. Her next stop will be at Prairie Meadows on October 14 for the 2017 Bank of American Challenge Championships.

Facing older horses for the first time in her career, Richard Rothwell's 3-yaer-old One Sweet Sign collected $7,452 for her second-place effort. Michael Jointer conditions the One Sweet Jess from the A Regal Choice mare Significant Choice. Champion jockey G.R. Carter, Jr. was aboard the A Regal Choice Inc. California-bred filly.

Jerry Chapman's homebred Million Dollar Kiss finished three-quarters back to earn $3,726 for third. Yoni Martinez saddled the Jess Louisiana Blue filly out of Stoli Kiss by Stoli. Francisco Calderon was riding.

Mutuels returned $3.60, $2.80 and $2.80 for the winner out of a full field of 12. Runner-up One Sweet Sign returned $17.20 and $9.60 and Million Dollar Kiss returned $18.00 for the show.

The remaining order was Kokko Wagon, Zenergetic, Rock Wit Cha Baby, Lonestar Shaker, Bm Casina Royale, One Famous Shaker, Sierra Madre B, The California Girl and Im Bigtime Southern.

Live racing resumes tomorrow, Saturday, September 30. Lone Star Park will close out the month with the Grade 2, $353,700 Dash for Cash Futurity and the Grade 3, $213,200 Dash for Cash Derby. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. First Race will be 6:35 p.m.

AQHA Racing Ace Jennifer Hancock will be on hand with handicapping tips and advice for the entire nine-race program Saturday. Please join us.

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Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie, a Class I racetrack operated by Texas Partners LSP and GG LSP. The track offers a 26-day 2017 Fall Meeting of Champions Season, which opens Friday, September 15 and concludes on Saturday, November 11. Live racing will be held three days a week, Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 6:35 p.m. For more information on Lone Star Park visit LoneStarPark.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Lone Star Park is also home to the multi-million dollar simulcast racebook, sports bar and event venue, Bar & Book. The 36,000-square foot venue is open to the public 363 days a year.