Challenge


Painted Dynasty Dominates Adequan Prairie Meadows Derby Challenge
Painted Dynasty, under jockey Cristian Esqueda, winning the Adequan Prairie Meadows Derby Challenge on Saturday.

© Coady Photography
Painted Dynasty Dominates Adequan Prairie Meadows Derby Challenge

ALTOONA, IA—SEPTEMBER 15, 2018—Coming off a 1-2 finish in John Deere Prairie Meadows Juvenile Challenge, owner Thomas Scheckel's Painted Dynasty put forth a dominate effort one race later to defeat High Valley Girl by one-length in the $54,270 Adequan Prairie Meadows Derby Challenge on Saturday.

Ridden by jockey Cristian Esqueda, Painted Dynasty rolled over the 400 yard course in : 19.777 seconds to equal a 93 speed index. Trainer Jason Olmstead saddled the daughter of world champion sire FDD Dynasty to her fourth career win.

Bred in Oklahoma by Michael Teel, from the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Tygers Painted Girl, Painted Dynasty has compiled a (19) 6-4-3 record and today's $24,964 Adequan winners' purse boosted her bankroll to $84,399. Last season she was third in the Prairie Meadows Juvenile Challenge, and second in the Gopher State Derby in 2018.

Trainer Robert Don Johnson saddled runner-up High Valley Girl for owner Webb Ranch LLC. Roberto Valero rode the daughter champion sire Valiant Hero from the stakes winning Feature Mr Jess mare Huckleberry Mojito. Bred in Oklahoma by Reliance Ranches LLC, High Valley Girl earned $10,854 to increase her earnings total nearly $50,000.

The win for Painted Dynasty and runner-up effort by High Valley Girl earns both fillies a starting spot in the $150,000 Estimated Adequan Derby Challenge Championship (G3) at Los Alamitos Race Course November 17th. The Orange County oval will host the 2018 Bank of America Challenge Championship that night.

Vallero, another 3-year-old by leading sire Valiant Hero, finished half-a-length back to pick up $5,427 for third. John Hammes conditions the Colorado homebred for owner/breeder George Seward. Winner of last year's John Deere Prairie Meadows Juvenile, Vallero has earned $51,814.

Apollitical Approach and Hott Link dead-heated for 4th. Completing the field were Paint Me Southern, Olivias Jett and Nsm Favorite Zoomer. Jesse Justice and The Fiscal Storm were both scratched.

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About Prairie Meadows
Prairie Meadows began operations as a nonprofit organization in 1989 with the goal of promoting economic development, jobs, agriculture, and tourism in the state of Iowa. Through taxes, grants, and charitable donations, Prairie Meadows has given more than $1.6 billion to the state of Iowa. Prairie Meadows offers more than 1,700 slot machines, table games, live and simulcast racing, hotel accommodations, entertainment, and more.