Challenge


Senor Frogs Impressive Winner of the $43,500 Wayne Brasher Memorial Bonus Challenge
Senor Frogs, under jockey Luis Martinez, easily winning the $43,500 Wayne Brasher Memorial Bonus Challenge Stakes (not black-type) on Saturday at Rillito Park.

© Coady Photography
Senor Frogs Impressive Winner of the $43,500 Wayne Brasher Memorial Bonus Challenge

TUCSON, AZ – MARCH 19, 2022 – Multiple stakes winner Senor Frogs earned his eighth career win in the $43,500 Wayne Brasher Memorial Bonus Challenge, the feature Quarter Horse race of the card at Rillito on Saturday afternoon.

Senor Frogs ($3.00) and jockey Luis Martinez cleared the field by two lengths in the 400-yard race and stopped the clock in 19.810, earning a 109 speed index.

The 5-year-old Coronado Cartel gelding is trained by Eloy Navarro and owned by Jose Aguilar Mendoza. He was bred in Oregon by Michael and Shannon McKay, out of the Mr Eye Opener mare Nellie Soprano.

Senor Frogs was the fastest qualifier to the Wayne Brasher Memorial Bonus Challenge from two trials on February 26. He is eight for 24 lifetime and added the winner’s share of $23,925 to his lifetime earnings, which now total $129,471.

The winning connections Senor Frog accept the Wayne Brasher Memorial Bonus Challenge Stakes trophy at Rillito Park Saturday. © Coady Photography

 

An accomplished member of the Racing Challenge program, Senor Frogs has competed in multiple regional Challenge qualifiers and was sixth in the Bank of America Challenge Championship (G1) last fall at Albuquerque.

Leading the pack for second place was Wildroses101 and jockey Joseph Belloc, Jr. Tyler Gibbs trains the 4-year-old gelding for owner Ferrari Racing Stables. Bred in Texas by Bryon Gardner, he is by Ja Jess Perfect and is out of Weeds in My Roses, by Valiant Hero.

Wildroses101 finished second in his trial as the third fastest qualifier. He has three wins from 19 starts and is multiple stakes placed with $40,344 in earnings.

As a 2-year-old, Wildroses101 qualified to futurities at Pocatello, Wyoming Downs and Rock Springs; last year, he competed in multiple derbies and finished third in the Powder River Vet Derby at Energy Downs. He finished second in the Allred Brothers Stakes at Turf Paradise prior to his trial at Rillito.

Sixth fastest qualifier Shez Our Jess finished third in Satruday’s final. The 4-year-old filly was ridden by Michael Ybarra for trainer Jim Crotts and owner Angel Valenzuela.

Shez Our Jess has only finished out of the money once in her 11 lifetime starts. She won the Arizona Downs Derby in 2021 and is multiple stakes placed with $46,282 earned to date.

Bred in Texas by Pete Scarmardo, Shez Our Jess is by Hez Our Secret and is out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess Marcy.

Completing the field were Hw One Sweetstreaker, Captain Mazurk, Rock Star Dash, From Above and Our Secret Legacy. Big Game Win was scratched.

The Wayne Brasher Memorial Stakes honors the Arizona-based trainer and horseman who passed away in 2015. Brasher trained multiple graded stakes winner Pies Royal Request, winner of 14 consecutive races, as well as champion Rylees Boy during his Arizona campaign.