QUARTER RACING JOURNAL—OCTOBER 14, 2017—Cesar Gomez rode odds-on favorite Dauns First Desirio to the gelding's first official stakes victory in the $180,000 Adequan Derby Challenge Championship (G3) at Prairie Meadows on Saturday.

Prepped by Julio Corral for owner Rogelio Carbajal Santos, Dauns First Desirio earned a 102 speed index while covering 400 yards on a sloppy and sealed track in :19.397 and defeating 16-1 longshot Faster Than Hasta by a head. The $82,800 winner's share of the purse increased the bay gelding's bankroll to $126,903, of which $108,888 has been pocketed this season.

Dauns First Desirio was the fastest qualifier to Saturday's Altoona Derby, but the Desirio gelding's connections scratched out of that race. The gelding was bred in Texas by Dan and Jolene Urschel, and he is out of First Daun Express, a daughter of the First Down Dash stallion First Down Express. His second dam, the stakes-winning Tripoli Jet mare Ettagos Express, ran third in the 1985 Sophomore Handicap (G2) at Los Alamitos.

Dauns First Desirio was coming off of a convincing two-length victory in his Altoona Derby trial. He crossed the wire first in the September 16, $46,000 Adequan Prairie Meadows Derby Challenge but was disqualified and placed third. All told, the gelding hsa won five of 11 starts, and his season resume includes a second-place finish, three-quarters of a length behind winner Movin The Doe, in the August 12, 400-yard Arapahoe Park Derby.

Kowboy Jim finished third, a head behind runner-up Faster Than Hasta.

Faster Than Hasta races for owner John Johnson and trainer Robert Don Johnson. Alfredo Triana, Jr. rode the Hasta Be Fast Wyoming-bred from the Special Leader mare Leadmetoyourladder. Bred by Wardell Quarter Horses, Faster Than Hasta earned $36,000 for the effort.

Kowboy Jim, a California-bred homebred racing for owner/breeder and trainer Dean Frey picked up $18,000 for third. Oscar Delgado rode the FDD Dynasty gelding out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Counting On You. The five-time winner has earned $102,591.

Gustafame, Ls Prince, Jc Wild Rose, Eye Eye Captain, Rock About It, Genuine Version, and Downside Embezzler completed the order of finish.

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