POCATELLO, ID—MAY 18, 2018—In his first start this season multiple stakes winner A Cartel Hustle held off Bigtime Carter to win the $14,025 AQHA Fort Hall Casino Bonus Challenge (not black type) Friday afternoon at Pocatello Downs.

Under jockey Nikeela Black, A Cartel Hustle completed the 350 yards in a quick :17.325 clocking to earn a 111 speed index into a 5 mph crosswind. It was the seventh career win in 14 starts for the 4-year-old son of multiple stakes sire Favorite Cartel.

Trainer Mark Hanson saddled the Idaho homebred for owners-breeders' RTM Stables, LLC, Larry Chapple and Dick Wasia. Out of the Feature Mr Jess mare Mothers Gift, A Cartel Hustle has compiled a (14) 7-3-1 record and used the Bonus' winners' purse to boost his career mark to $48,461.

Also a stakes winner, Bigtime Carter earned $2,875 for his second-place effort for owners-trainer Abel Romero. Paris Wixsom bred the Carters Cartel gelding in Oklahoma from the First Down Dash mare Ms Dashin Bigtime. A half-brother to champion sire Bigtime Favorite, Bigtime Carter has earned more than $47,000.

Joe Ward's Jess A Lil Fishy finished three-quarters back to pick up $1.402 for third-place. Fredy Olmos trains the Apollitical Jess filly out of Lil Fishy by Fishers Dash. Winner of the Elko Derby last year, the 4-year-old earned $1.402 to boost her earnings total to $27,986.

Fantastic Minion, Sign Of Corona, Awesomer, Crown Pointe and Sparklin Cartel completed the field.