Illtakeyouforaride, under jockey Kelsi Purcell, winning the Grade 3 AQHA Lone Star Distance Challenge on Saturday night at Lone Star Park.

© Dustin Orona Photography

GRAND PRAIRIE, TX—OCTOBER 3, 2020—In the $27,676 AQHA Lone Star Distance Challenge (G3) on Saturday night, Kelsi Purcell guided Illtakeyouforaride to a powerful victory, winning the 87-yard race by over six lengths.

Illtakeyouforaride ($4.00) crossed the wire in 44.976 to earn a speed index of 108 in the regional qualifier. The post-time favorite also won his trial for the Downs at Albuquerque Distance Challenge Stake and finished fifth in the final.

Illtakeyouforaride is trained by Michael Joiner for the Illtakeyouforaride Partnership. The 6-year-old gelding was bred in Oklahoma by Kirk Goodfellow, by FDD Dynasty and out of Dashingfordestiny, by Mr Jess Perry. He is a half-brother to Fm Im a Zatanaz Too, winner of the 2018 Sam Houston Futurity (G2) and qualifier to the Texas Classic Futurity (G1) at Lone Star.

AQHA Chief Racing Officer Janet VanBebber presents winning trainer Michael Joiner and jockey Kelsi Purcell the AQHA Lone Star Park Distanced Challenge trophies.
© Coady Photography

With Saturday’s win, Illtakeyouforaride is now seven for 25 lifetime with $122,183 in career earnings.

Though the winner was out of reach, Sw Bullet Proof and Jerry Yoakum separated themselves from the rest of the field by three lengths as the second-place finisher.

Sw Bullet Proof is trained by Wes Giles for owner Jason Udy. The 4-year-old gelding was bred in Oklahoma by Sherry Wingfield, by Second Painted Sign and out of Jazzin Shabby Chic, by Jazzing Hi.

Sw Bullet Proof earned his first placing in a graded stake in the second-place effort. He qualified to the John Deere Prairie Meadows Juvenile Challenge in 2018 and was third in two stakes at Wyoming Downs this summer before shipping to Lone Star. He has earned $48,465 and four victories in his 20 starts.

Nakia Ramirez and Dance the Dust Off finished in third place for trainer James Padgett and owner Scott Warr.

Dance the Dust Off is a 4-year-old gelding bred in New Mexico by Sarah Donaldson Rioux, by Coronas Blackdiamond and out of the Thoroughbred Ghazi mare Magic Yard.

Dance the Dust Off has four wins and $32,510 in his 12 career starts; this spring he qualified to the Remington Park Distance Challenge (G2).

Completing the field were Billy Big Rock, The Runaway Favorite and Cat Daddle. Let There Be Sound was scratched.

Lone Star Park is located on Beltline Road, just ½ mile north of I-30 in Grand Prairie, Texas. Visit LoneStarPark.com for more information.