Challenge


Hanson Captures Exacta in the Pocatello BetAmerica Maiden Challenge
Dashing Executive, under jockey Eddie Aceves, winning the BetAmerica AQHA Maiden Challenge Sunday afternoon at Pocatello Downs.

© Michelle Yu
Hanson Captures Exacta in the Pocatello BetAmerica Maiden Challenge

POCATELLO, ID— MAY 29, 2017—It was an all-Hanson exacta in the $18,500 BetAmerica AQHA Maiden Challenge at Pocatello Downs on Monday, as Dashing Executive ($8.40) edged out stablemate Cartels Jubalee in the first of three stakes races on the card.

Trained by Mark Hanson and ridden by Eddie Aceves, Dashing Executive covered the 350 yards in :17.558 and earned a 105 speed index. Rob Evans and Hanson Racing LLC own the 3-year-old filly, who was bred in Utah by McColee Land & Livestock.

Dashing Executive is by First Down Dash, out of the Executive Menace mare Executive Looks, a multiple graded stakes winner with lifetime earnings exceeding $250,000. She was the sixth-fastest qualifier from trials held at Pocatello on May 14.

BetAmerica was the sponsor of Sunday's AQHA Maiden Challenge at Pocatello Downs. © Michelle Yu

Hanson’s other trainee, Cartels Jubalee, closed strongly to finish a neck behind and a neck ahead of third-place finisher Jess A Lil Fishy with Francisco Rubio aboard. The Corona Cartel gelding was the ninth fastest qualifier.

Cartels Jubalee is owned by RTM Stables LLC and Shauna Dunn. The 3-year-old was bred in Oklahoma by Terry and Irene Stennett, out of the First Down Dash mare Cherry Jubalee.

The fastest qualifier for the race, Jess A Lil Fishy, ran third in a close finish to the BetAmerica Maiden Challenge with Never Marin aboard. Trained by Fredy Olmos, the 3-year-old filly qualified to the final with a time of :17.513 and a 106 speed index; today, her time of :17.622 earned a 103 index in the final.

Jess A Lil Fishy is by Apollitical Jess, out of Lil Fishy, by Fishers Dash. She is owned by Joe Ward and was bred in Ontario by Dream Chaser Farm.

Completing the field were Down N Runnin, Kono, Fire the Senator, Wavin N Rich, Merrys Cartel, Throwin Up the X and T Heart Tripwire.