Challenge


Jess Adalida Romps To Three-Length Win In AQHA Lone Star Distaff Challenge
Jess Adalida, under jockey Manuel Gutierrez, was a wire-to-wire three-length winner in Friday's $39,060AQHA Lone Star Distaff Challenge at Lone Star Park.

© Dustin Orona Photography
Jess Adalida Romps To Three-Length Win In AQHA Lone Star Distaff Challenge

GRAND PRAIRIE, TX—OCTOBER 5, 2018— The field was loaded and ready for the start in the $39,060 AQHA Lone Star Distaff Challenge when Alinas War Princess flipped and had to be backed out, examined and re-loaded in the gate. After what seemed like forever the favorite Jess Adalida, who had been standing completely focused on the task at hand, broke like a rocket ship from the inside post. There was never a doubt she was winning this race, no way could they catch her, not tonight.

Piloted by jockey Manuel Gutierrez, Jess Adalida ($4.00) crossed the finish line officially three lengths in front of the rest of the field.

Facing older mares for the first time in her career, the 3-yr-old filly by Jess Louisiana Blue trained by Josue Ponce completed the 400-yard distance in :19.663 over a fast racetrack and earning a berth in the Grade 1, $100,000 Distaff Challenge Championship.

AQHA Chief Racing Officer Janet VanBebber presents the AQHA Lone Star Distaff Challenge stakes trophy to the winning connections of Jess Adalida Friday night at Lone Park. © Dustin Orona Photography
The Distaff, which is part of the 2018 Bank of America Challenge Championships, will be held at Los Alamitos Race Course in California on November 17. She will race for owner Ruben Garcia Montemayor.

Conditioned by trainer Josue Ponce, the 3-year-old stablemates, facing older mares for the first time in their career, each earned a starting spot in the November 17th Grade 1 $100,000-est. AQHA Distaff Challenge Championship at Los Alamitos Race Course on Bank of America Challenge Championship Night.

Jess Adalida scored her second career stakes win, compiling a (11) 6-2-0 record. The $17,968 Distaff winners' purse increased her earnings mark to $94,392.

Bred om California by Double Bar S Ranch LLC, Jess Adalida is out of the First Down Dash mare Worthherweightingold. Winner of last year's Retama Juvenile Challenge, the sorrel filly was also second in the West Texas Juvenile and a finalist in the Grade 2 Dash For Cash Futurity and the Old South Derby in 2018.

It was a perfect exacta for trainer Josue Ponce, the trainer of second place finisher Mystical Jess, who also got an automatic berth into the Distaff Challenge Championship. She ducked out at the 1/16th pole under jockey Jesse Levario, but still managed to finish second in the field of 11 starters.

The daughter of leading sire Apollitical Jess races for owner/breeder Juan Lozano, Jr. Bred in Texas, the multiple stakes-placed 3-year-old picked up $7,812 for tonight's effort, pushing her bankroll to $40,196. She is out of the Dash Thru Traffic mare Traffic Juana.

Leann Burns' Mary Paintyourwagon earned $3,906 for third. Champion jockey Ricky Ramirez rode the Pyc Paint Your Wagon 4-year-old for trainer Stacy Charette-Hill. Michael Pohl bred the multiple stakes-placed earner of $110,794 in Oklahoma from the Shazoom mare Marys Southernpolicy.

Apollitical Seven, Inundated, Ima Dashin Follie, Shiner Blond, Watergirl B, Alinas War Princess and Miura completed the order of finish.

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Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie, a Class I racetrack operated by Texas Partners LSP and Global Gaming LSP. The track’s 16-day 2018 Quarter Horse Season opens Friday, September 21, and concludes on Saturday, November 10. Live racing will be held two days a week, Friday and Saturday at 6:05 p.m. For more information on Lone Star Park visit LoneStarPark.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Lone Star Park is also home to the multi-million dollar simulcast racebook, sports bar and event venue, Bar & Book. The 36,000-square foot venue is open to the public 363 days a year.