Challenge


Favorite CR Tuckernuck Wins Zoetis Distance Challenge Championship
Kharlottie Grace Urschel's CR Tuckernuck edges out CJs Rocksolid (inside) for his third consecutive stakes victory.

© Dustin Orona Photography
Favorite CR Tuckernuck Wins Zoetis Distance Challenge Championship

GRAND PRAIRIE, TX—NOVEMBER 7, 2015—CR Tuckernuck was a prompt 6-5 favorite in the Grade 1, $125,000 Zoetis Distance Challenge Championship at Lone Star Park on Saturday.

Racing for Kharlottie Grace Urschel, 13, CR Tuckernuck covered 870 yards in :45.659 while defeating 15-1 longshot CJs Rocksolid by a nose. Ricky Ramirez rode the 4-year-old gelded son of Jet Black Patriot for trainer Stacey Capps.

“(CJs Rocksolid) had us beat until the last 50 yards,” said Ramirez, who has ridden CR Tuckernuck in the gelding’s last five outs, four of which have been wins. “But I got into him and he gave me everything he had down the stretch.”

The winning connections of CR Tuckernuck accept the Zoetis Distance Challenge Championship trophy Saturday at Lone Star Park. © Dustin Orona Photography
CR Tuckernuck’s owner is the great granddaughter of longtime breeders Dan and Jolene Urschel, who acquired the gelding from breeders Weetona Stanley and William E. Smith for $40,000 at the 2012 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale. He is out of the Corona Cartel mare Fast Prize Corona.

CR Tuckernuck has won seven of 20 starts, including four of his five races at the 870 distance, and he has banked $201,194.

“We were on the edge of our seats watching the race, and we love this horse so much,” said Kharlottie Grace Urschel, who added she would save CR Tuckernuck’s $60,000 earnings from this race for college. “We are going to race him again next year.”

CR Tuckernuck’s three career stakes victories include a 2¾-length score in the 870-yard, $20,000 Bill Reed Memorial Stakes at Ruidoso Downs on September 5.

Tammy Johnson saddled Cjs Rocksolid for owenr/breeder Rocking J Running Horses and Jack Manning. The 5-year-old son of multiple stakes sire Rock Solid Jess is out of Sultry Miss, by The Signature. He picked up $26.525 for the effort.

George Carter's Painted Josy finished a length back in third for trainer Justin Jointer. G.R. Carter, Jr. rode the Pyc Paint Your Wagon 5-year-old out of She's Josy (TB), by French Parliament. Bred in Oklahoma by Linda Carol Carter, the gay gelding earned $12,500.

Jess Twice Cash, Dashers Midnight, KR Streakin Version, Lil Dip A Nitro, and Sensational Dash completed the order of finish.

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