LOS ALAMITOS, CA—NOVEMBER 17, 2018—Mickey Ward, a homebred 7-year-old son of champion FDD Dynasty racing for Ralph and Carolyn Fales, earned his first Grade 1 win in Saturday's $100,000 Cox Ranch Distance Challenge Championship (G1) at Los Alamitos.

Ridden by Jorge Bourdieu for trainer Matt Fales, Mickey Ward covered 870 yards in :45.538, and his winning margin was a head from Rare Ed. The Arizona-bred gelding earned $50,000 while scoring his seventh win in 21 starts and fourth victory in 11 outs at the 870-yard trip.

Mickey Ward earned his berth in this race with a second-place finish, a neck behind winner Rare Ed, in the April 29, $17,000 AQHA Turf Paradise Distance Challenge in Arizona. Campaigned in Arizona, California, and New Mexico, he has banked $122,091. He is out of the Leaving Memories mare A Mere Formality.

Last year's Distance Challenge Championship(G1) winner Rare Ed bumped at the break but rallied down the rail to get second for owner Angel Villalobos-Hernandez and Jose Marin. Jockey Justine Klaiber had the riding call for trainer Ricardo Guillen.

The 7-year-old Dean Miracle gelding, out of Ms Corona Jet by Corona Cartel, picked up $21,500 to the effort, bringing his earnings total to nearly $150,000. Ronald Martin is the breeder.

Another homebred racing for Ralph and Carolyn Fales, A Mere Icon finished third and earned $11,000. Matthew Fales saddled with Jorge Bourdieu riding. The 4-year-old son of Texas Icon is half-brother to Distance Challenge winner Mickey Ward. He has earned $30,425.

The 3-10 favorite Mahoney N Tacklebery was fourth followed by Hes A Bugin, and Glittering Blue.