Challenge


Lovely Cuvee Picks Up Win In ARC Distaff Challenge At Evergreen Park On Sunday
Lovely Cuvee, under jockey, J.B. Botello, winning ARC Distaff Challenge at Evergreen Park on Sunday afternoon.

© Gordon Anderson / Alberta Daily Herald-Tribune
Lovely Cuvee Picks Up Win In ARC Distaff Challenge At Evergreen Park On Sunday

GRANDE PRARIE, ALB—JULY 27, 2020—Lovely Cuvee defeated First Prize Cruise by half-a-length Sunday in the ARC Distaff Challenge at Evergreen Park at Grande Prairie.

Ridden by jockey J.B. Botello, the 3-year-old daughter of leading sire Tres Seis completed the 400 yards in a time of :20.622, into a 20 mph cross wind. Trainer Allen Goodsell saddled the bay filly to her second win in seven starts for owner Beckham Ranch. The $17,056 for first place bring Lovely Cuvee's earnings total to $29,967.

"She was a little sluggish getting out of the gate, but fortunately, we had a lane to run at," Goodsell said following the race. "When you win, you enjoy them because the highs are high, but the lows will come fast and quick. You’re always better off having a race horse with luck than you are talent."

With the win, Lovely Cuvee automatically qualifies, as a regional winner, for the $1000,000-est. ARC Distaff Challenge Championship, set for October 24 during the Bank of America Challenge Championship at The Downs in Albuquerque, N.M.

Racing for owner-breeder and trainer Tom Kenway, First Prize Cruise, a daughter of first Prize Doc, finished second. Ridden by jockey Manuel Ortiz, the 5-year-old earned $7,334 for her effort.

Getit Hot, owned by Charles Stojan and trained by William Leech, finished third. R Moreno rode the 4-year-old Walk Thru Fire filly out of Getit Together by Separatist Bred in California by Martha Wells she earned $3,752.

Atomic Blondie Knotty KNita and Papas Coleen completed the field.