Q-RACING JOURNAL—OCTOBER 29, 2016—Rare Ed, a 5-year-old son of champion Dean Miracle racing for Suzan R. Crotts and Martin Marin, earned his first stakes win in Saturday's Grade 1, $125,000 Andreini Distance Challenge Championship at Los Alamitos.

Ridden by Ramon Guce for trainer Jim Crotts, Rare Ed covered 870 yards in :45.693, and the gelding's winning margin was 1 3/4 lengths from a fast-closing Jessa Little Rusty. Streakin Zoomer finished third, two lengths behind the winner.

"My agent wanted me to ride (CJs Rocksolid), who earned over $200,000, but I really liked this horse," said Guce. "I told the trainer I was going to send him, and he fired tonight."

Rare Ed was bred in Illinois by Ronald H. Martin from the Corona Cartel mare Ms Corona Jet. An $8,000 claimer earlier in the meet, he scored his fourth win in 23 starts, and the $60,000 winner's share of the Andreini Distance Challenge Championship purse boosted his earnings to $83,931.

"The preps over the track really helped us," said Crotts, referring to Rare Ed's four outs at Los Alamitos this year. "Even though he ran second in two of those races, I knew he had it in him. When the 'Guce' gets loose, that's all you can ask for."

Rare Ed qualified for this stakes with a third-place finish in the AQHA Turf Paradise Distance Challenge on May 1.

Two-time Distance Challenge Championship trainer John Stinebaugh saddled runner-up Jessa Little Rusty for owner Louis Howard. The son of leading sire Mr Jess Perry flew late under jockey Gilbert Ortiz. Clyde Wilmott bred Jessa Little Rusty in Texas from the Royal Quick Dash mare Rustys Quickid. He earned $25,626 to bring his earnings total to $196,322.

Martin Orona, Sr. saddled third place finisher Streakin Zoomer for owner Alejandro Arzabala, Jr. Jose Ortiz was aboard the Louisiana-bred Shzoom horse from the Streakin La Jolla mare A Streakin Mate. Bred by J.E. III, D.C. and C.T. Jumonville. He earned $12,500.

Cjs Rocksolid ran fourth and was followed by Mickey Ward, Juno Dat Timber, and 3-5 favorite Fire On The Fly. Kr Streakin Version was scratched by the stewards in the post parade on advice of the track veterinarian.

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