CLAREMORE, OK—OCTOBER 9, 2016—Multiple stakes winner Admiral Zoomwalt raced to a half-length win over Juno Dat Timber in the $35,730 AQHA Distance Challenge at Will Rogers Downs on Sunday. Apollitical Courage finished three-quarter back in third.

The victory also secured Admiral Zoomwalt a starting spot in the Grade 1 $125,000 AQHA Distance Challenge Championship on Saturday, October 29th at Los Alamitos Race Course.

Ridden by jockey James Flores, Admiral Zoomwalt covered the 870-yard course in :45.364 seconds, a 98-speed index. The $17,865 winner's purse boosted the Shazoom 4-year-olds earnings total to $104,2778.

Saddled by Gerry McLean for owner Terry McClean, Admiral Zoomwalt entered the race off a win in the Walter Merrick Memorial Stakes at Fair Meadows in July. Bred by Mike Nobles and Christine Hudson, Admiral Zoomwalt has compiled a (21) 8-1-2 record. His dam Tellin It All, by First Down Dash, also produced the John Deere Will Rogers Juvenile winner on today's card at Will Rogers.

Canadian-bred Juno Dat Timber rallied late for owner/breeder Wesley Oulton and trainer Durk Perry. Randy Wilson rode the 4-year-old son of leading Canadian sire First Timber from the Snowbound (TB) mare Dashing Snowbound. Already a graded stakes winner, Juno Dat Timber added $7,682 to bring his bankroll to $42,337.

Trainer John Stinebaugh saddled third place finisher Apollitical Courage for owner Vanessa Bartoo. Rodney Christiansen bred the Apollitical Jess 4-year-old in Utah from the Heza Fast Man mare Quiet Courage. Ridden by Gilbert Ortiz, Apollitical Courage earned $3,930 for the effort.

Ncc Anchorman, Katcandoux and Eye Am A Dealer completed the field.