Challenge


Seward Homebred Wins John Deere Prairie Meadows Juvenile Challenge
Vallerro, under jockey Storm Smith, winning the John Deere Prairie Meadows Juvenile Challenge.

© Coady Photography
Seward Homebred Wins John Deere Prairie Meadows Juvenile Challenge

ALTOONA, IA—SEPTEMBER 16, 2017—Fastest qualifier Vallerro returned to Prairie Meadows Saturday to pick-up his third straight win, from four starts, when he defeated High Valley Girl by half-a-length in the $63,720 John Deere Prairie Meadows Juvenile Challenge.

Under jockey Stormy Smith, Vallerro rallied strongly over a sloppy (sealed) racetrack to complete the 350 yards in :17.870 seconds. The $29,311 winners' purse boosted the Valiant Hero colt's earnings to $38,916.

The winning connections of Vallerro, owner/breeder George Seward, trainer John Hammes and jockey Stormy Smith accept the John Deere Prairie Meadows Juvenile Challenge stakes trophy. © Coady Photography
Trainer John Hammes saddled the Colorado homebred for owner/breeder George Seward. The sorrel gelding is out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Perrys Queen Bug.

"It's a bittersweet win as I own his dam and she died this morning from a heart attack," Seward told Racing Ace Martha Claussen following the win. "She won over $100,000 for us. It's nice to see this colt win. We've been pleased with him and the job John (Hammes) has done."

Saturday's win also earned Vallerro a starting spot in the $130,000 Guaranteed John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship (G2) at Prairie Meadows next month. The grade 2 event is part of the Bank of America Challenge Championship Night on Saturday, October 14th.

High Valley Girl, also a 2-year-old by multiple stakes sire Valiant Hero, earned $12,744 for her second-place effort. Robert Don Johnson conditions the sorrel filly for owner Webb Ranch LLC. Bred in Oklahoma by Reliance Ranches LLC, High Valley Girl is out of the Feature Mr Jess mare Huckleberry Mojito. Christian Esqueda was riding.

Third-place finisher Painted Dynasty, a daughter of leading sire FDD Dynasty, races for owner Thomas Scheckel and trainer Jason Olmstead. Brayan Velazquez rode the Oklahoma-bred out of Tygers Painted Girl by Pyc Paint Your Wagon. Bred by Michael Teel, the brown filly picked up $$6,372 for her effort.

The Fiscal Storm, Jjsir James, Peves Candy Man Dan, Fast Prize Penelope, Rusty Rose II and Little Kool Corona completed the field.