Iris Royal Jess, ridden by Cristian Esqueda, wins the $50,000 Terrace Hill Stakes at Prairie Meadows on Saturday evening.

© Coady Photography

ALTOONA, IA–OCTOBER 1, 2022–Iris Royal Jess wins the $50,000 Terrace Hill Stakes at Prairie Meadows. The 400-yard stakes for three-year-old and up quarter horses was the second quarter horse stakes on the card for Saturday.

With Cristian Esqueda aboard, Iris Royal Jess battled for the lead with Cr Appollitical Joe and crossed the wire first 3/4-length ahead in :19.655 seconds. The son of Captain Courage clocked a 99 speed index and paid $5.00 to win on a $2.00 bet.

Cr Appollitical Joe, ridden by Edwin Escobedo was favored to win and led at the start but in the end was no match for Iris Royal Jess. The 4-year-old crossed the wire second 1 1/4-lengths ahead of Ts Perry Kool and jockey Cody Smith.

Saddled by Alex Wessel, Iris Royal Jess has lit the board in every out from 20 starts with 13 career wins, including the Cy-Hawk Stakes in August. The $24,000 winner’s share of the Terrace Hill Stakes upped his earnings to $275,644 for owner B/B/ Wessel, LLC. Bred by Warren Garrels, the seven-year-old gelding is out of Pure Royal Dash by Pure D Dash.

Runner-up Ac Appollitical Joe has been a finalist in four stakes races this year, including the BOA Challenge Championship (G2) and Canterbury Park Championship Challenge (G3). The multiple stakes winner has six career wins with $200,890 in the bank.

Bred and owned by Richard and Curt Tobin, Cr Appollitical Joe is out of Lw Evening Lajolla by Streaking La Jolla. Jason Olmstead trained the 4-year-old son of leading sire Apollitical Jess.

Third place finisher Ts Perry Kool has two career wins with $46,998 in lifetime earnings. Trainer Tony Dean Jones conditioned the three-year-old son of Lil Kool Wagon for owner Casey Veach.

Bred by Thomas Scheckel, Ts Perry Kool is out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Mrs Aqua Perry, who out of a full sister to Ocean Runaway and Wave Carver.

The remaining order of finish is Elbullseye, Loaded Resume, Iris Cowboy Casanova and Kornfusion. Ts Dash To The End was scratched by his trainer.

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About Prairie Meadows
Prairie Meadows began operations as a nonprofit organization in 1989 with the goal of promoting economic development, jobs, agriculture, and tourism in the state of Iowa. Through taxes, grants, and charitable donations, Prairie Meadows has given $2 billion to the state of Iowa. Prairie Meadows offers slot machines, table games, live and simulcast racing, sports wagering, hotel accommodations, entertainment, and more.