CLAREMORE, OK—OCTOBER 4, 2020—Splendid Cause, a 5-year-old daughter of leading sire Apollitical Jess, rallied late under jockey Daniel Torres to defeat Docs River Spirit by three-quarters in the $29,359 ARC Will Rogers Distaff Challenge Sunday afternoon at Will Rogers Downs.

Making her first start since winning the Belle Stakes at Fair Meadows in June, Splendid Cause completed the 400 yards in :19.899 seconds, equaling a 95 speed index into a 7 mph crosswind.

Dee Kenner saddled the Oklahoma homebred for owner's Kelly Yother Equine LLC. Out of the Tres Seis mare Answer The Dream, Splendid Cause has compiled a (38) 8-6-0 record and today's winner's purse valued at 14,680 swells her bankroll to $163,517.

Splendid Cause also earned a starting spot in the $100,000-est. ARC Distaff Challenge Championship(G1) on October 24th during the Bank of America Challenge Championship Night at The Downs at Albuquerque.

Runner-up Docs River Spirt earned $6,312 for owner Norman Hollingworth. Matt Whitekiller trains the 3-year-old daughter of multiple stakes sire Jess Jones from the Mr Eye Opener mare Eye Spy Valletta. Cody Smith rode the $42,483 to her first black-type finish.

Stetson Hurlbert's Preyn Onthe Mountain finished a nose back to earn $3,229 for third. Eddie D. Willis saddled the 5-year-old daughter of multiple stakes sire Ivory James. Dr. Steve Hurlbert bred the bay mare in Oklahoma from the Panther Mountain mare Prey. Justine Klaiber had the riding call.

Ms Lori Darlin, Pj Splash Of Joy and Desired Effect completed the field.

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Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs is located 3 miles east of Claremore on Highway 20. For more information, visit www.cherokeecasino.com and click on the Will Rogers Downs tab, or call (918) 283-8800.

For additional information visit CLICK HERE to visit the track's website.