Larry and Bobbie Rice’s AJ Your Favorite went from being a little spicy in the trials to sweet and razor-sharp in the $300,000 Grade 2 PCQHRA Breeders Futurity final on Sunday night at Los Alamitos, behaving perfectly before the race to post a gate-to-wire victory.

Ridden by Justine Klaiber—the meet’s leading Quarter Horse jockey—for trainer Eddie Willis, AJ Your Favorite broke cleanly from post six, established an early lead, and overcame lugging out down the stretch to hold off Juniors Quarter Horses’ Rational by a half-length. AJ Your Favorite stopped the clock in :17.578 for the 350-yard dash.

Her calm demeanor was a stark contrast to her trial effort, where she became a bit rambunctious and unseated Klaiber before loading, before settling down during a starting delay. The time between trial and final worked wonders for the daughter of Apollitical Jess out of Favorite Wise Lady, as she returned focused strictly on winning.

“She was perfect in the gates and she left on top,” Klaiber said. “She left great. She wanted to get out at the end. That worried me a little bit. I was trying not to keep her from running.”

Klaiber did a great job handling the delicate balance of keeping AJ Your Favorite from drifting too far while ensuring the filly maintained maximum speed. In the end, it was great work by both the leading rider and the California-bred filly.

“I’m proud of the rider and the horse,” Willis said.

“(AJ Your Favorite) seemed to be a lot more relaxed,” Willis added. “They got her by the gates good and she didn’t get all stirred up down there. I think that helped her leave the gates a lot better this time. She ran a perfect race. They’re supposed to win when they leave like that. We let her be herself. She’s really calm in the barn area.”

Klaiber, a PCQHRA Special Achievement Award winner in 2024 and 2025, is now aiming to become the first female jockey to win the Quarter Horse riding title at Los Alamitos. She leads the standings with 40 wins this season, holding a two-win advantage over Martin Arriaga.

“I just keep working hard and get after it every day and doing the grind,” Klaiber said. “I try to learn something new every day. I get on all these horses every day and we really get to know each other.”

With Los Alamitos currently hosting two weeks of daytime racing for the Southern California Thoroughbred circuit, Klaiber scored her first Thoroughbred victory at the Southern California circuit aboard Ebok’s Dream Girl at 7-1 odds on Saturday afternoon.

“That was a surprise and a lot of fun,” Klaiber said.

AJ Your Favorite was a bit of a surprise as well in the PCQHRA Breeders Futurity, lighting up the tote board at 13-1. The heavy favorite was Cv Fdddinasty Shan, who entered the race undefeated in four starts, including a victory in the Grade 1 Ed Burke Memorial Futurity. Purchased for $71,000 at the Ruidoso Yearling Sale, the California-bred filly earned $121,800 for the win, improving her overall record to four victories from six starts. She has won three straight and boosted her career earnings to $139,134. Bred by Rancho El Cabresto, AJ Your Favorite’s dam, Favorite Wise Lady, earned $94,185 in her career and finished second in the 2018 Governor’s Cup Futurity.

“She’ll get a little break until the trials to the Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity,” Willis said.

Ridden by Armando Cervantes for trainer Paul Jones, Rational broke from post one and put in a late charge to finish second at 20-1 odds. The filly by Favorite Cartel out of champion Quirky was sixth early before closing furiously in the final 150 yards to edge James Markum and Steve Burns’ Indiana Fever (40-1) by a nose. Jones, who won a race earlier on the card, now sits nine wins shy of tying Blane Schvaneveldt’s track record of 3,982 Quarter Horse victories. Rational earned $49,300 for her runner-up finish, while Indiana Fever, ridden by Armando Viramontes for trainer Mike Casselman, collected $34,800 for third.

J. Francisco Diaz’s Cv Fdddinasty Shan trailed early from post 10, picked up steam during the late stages, and finished fourth for trainer Lindolfo Diaz and jockey Jesus Rios Ayala, earning $20,300.

The complete order of finish behind the top four was Jessonefamouseagle, Test Pilot, Uptick, Celtic Cowboy, Famous Cowboy To You, and Nuclear Arsenal.

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Few stallions in Quarter Horse racing are having a year like Lainie Whitmire’s Flying Cowboy 123, and the two-time AQHA Racing Champion has added another defining achievement to a rapidly growing sire résumé.

Standing at Lazy E Ranch near Guthrie, Oklahoma, Flying Cowboy 123 currently sits atop both the AQHA Leading Sires by Money Earned and AQHA Leading Two-Year-Old Sires by Money Earned lists. His remarkable season was punctuated Monday when undefeated Cowboys Flying captured the $3 million All American Futurity (G1), giving Flying Cowboy 123 his second winner of Quarter Horse racing's most prestigious futurity from only four crops to reach the races.

As of September 9, Flying Cowboy 123 leads all sires with $9,564,588 in 2026 progeny earnings from 392 starters and 157 winners, including 22 stakes winners.

His dominance among juvenile sires has been equally impressive. Flying Cowboy 123's 206 two-year-old starters have produced 82 winners and seven stakes winners while earning $6,212,698, placing him No. 1 among the nation's leading sires of two-year-old money earners.

Leading that powerful juvenile crop is Cowboys Flying, whose perfect six-for-six season has produced earnings of $1,822,793.

The 2024 gelding from the Carters Cartel mare Cartels Lady has emerged as the nation's premier juvenile with victories in the All American Futurity (G1), TQHA Sale Futurity (RG1), and Texas Breeders Futurity.

His All American victory gave Flying Cowboy 123 an extraordinary second winner of the race in just four crops to race.

Flying Cowboy 123's first All American Futurity winner, Cowboys Gun Z, captured the 2024 edition before being named AQHA Racing Champion Two-Year-Old and Champion Two-Year-Old Gelding. The son of the Tres Seis mare CF Smokin Gun has earned $1,678,945 and later added the Refrigerator Championship Stakes (G1) to his résumé.

The depth of Flying Cowboy 123's sire record extends well beyond his two All American winners.

His lifetime performers are headed by Cowboys Flying, Cowboys Gun Z and Lethal Cowboy 123, giving the stallion three individual runners with earnings exceeding $1.5 million.

Lethal Cowboy 123, out of Pretty Lethal by First Down Dash, earned $1,547,872 while becoming an AQHA Racing Champion Two-Year-Old, Champion Two-Year-Old Gelding and AQHA Supreme Race Horse. His major victories include the Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity (G1), Golden State Million Futurity (G1) and Vessels Maturity (G1).

Other leading runners by Flying Cowboy 123 include Ask Her To Fly SI 102, runner-up in the All American Futurity (G1) with earnings of $700,175; Flying Joy 1 SI 102, the $525,212 AQHA Racing Champion Two-Year-Old Filly and 2026 All American Oaks (G1) winner; Cardiac Cowboy SI 102, a 14-time winner of $491,689; and Electrifying Cowboy SI 104, a multiple graded stakes winner of $419,203.

Overall, Flying Cowboy 123 has sired 59 stakes winners and 63 stakes-placed runners, with his progeny earning more than $26.6 million. His 570 lifetime starters have produced 336 winners.

Those numbers have already propelled the relatively young stallion to 22nd on the all-time leading Quarter Horse sires list by money earned, an impressive position for a stallion whose oldest runners are still early in their racing careers.

His success on the racetrack is also being reflected in the sale ring.

Through September 8, 68 Flying Cowboy 123 yearlings sold in 2026 for $7,402,500, an average of $108,860, and a median of $72,500.

Flying Cowboy 123's rapid rise as a sire follows an exceptional racing career of his own.

A son of all-time leading living sire Apollitical Jess, Flying Cowboy 123 was named AQHA Racing Champion Two-Year-Old Colt in 2018 and AQHA Racing Champion Three-Year-Old Colt in 2019. He won eight of 13 career starts and earned $965,811.

At 2, he won the Texas Classic Futurity (G1) and finished third in the Rainbow Futurity (G1). The following season, he captured the Texas Classic Derby (G1), finished third in the All American Derby (G1), and was a finalist in the Ruidoso Derby (G1).

His pedigree provided an equally strong foundation for success at stud.

Flying Cowboy 123 is out of Hot Cash 123, by Takin On the Cash, a Dam of Distinction whose produce also includes Cold Cash 123, the $1,409,781 World Champion, AQHA Racing Champion Three-Year-Old and Champion Three-Year-Old Gelding.

Cold Cash 123 won eight stakes during his championship career, including the Rainbow Derby (G1), Texas Classic Derby (G1), Championship at Sunland Park (G1), Remington Park Invitational Championship (G1) and Southwest Juvenile Championship (G1).

Flying Cowboy 123's sire, Apollitical Jess, is one of the most influential stallions in modern Quarter Horse racing. The World Champion has sired the earners of more than $87.6 million, including champions KJ Desparado, Empressum, Apocalyptical Jess and Apollitical Blood.

But Flying Cowboy 123 is quickly establishing a sire legacy distinctly his own.

With more than $9.5 million in progeny earnings this season, the nation's leading juvenile sire title, 22 stakes winners in 2026, and now a second All American Futurity winner from only four crops to race, Flying Cowboy 123's 2026 season has further established the Lazy E Ranch stallion among the industry's elite sires.

And with Cowboys Flying still undefeated after six starts, his biggest year yet may not be finished.

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Eye The Cartel produced a late rush Sunday afternoon to capture the $45,018 Cox Ranch Sweetwater Downs Distaff Challenge at Sweetwater Downs.

Ridden by Aram Martinez for trainer James Kevin Goodnight, Eye The Cartel overcame a bump at the start and rallied from the outside to catch longshot Moonys Lil Flicka in the final strides. The 4-year-old filly completed the 400 yards in 19.876 seconds, earning a 93 speed index over a fast racing surface. A 19-mph crosswind was recorded for the race.

Eye The Cartel defeated Moonys Lil Flicka by a neck to earn the $20,709 winner's share. Brookelyn Owens owns the Oklahoma-bred daughter of Tell Cartel from the Tres Seis mare Sparklin Eyes. Ron Lyles bred the chestnut filly, who was a $16,000 purchase at the 2023 Heritage Place Yearling Sale.

Sunday's victory improved Eye The Cartel's career record to 15 starts, five wins, three seconds and one third with earnings of $93,285. In addition to Sunday's Cox Ranch Sweetwater Downs Distaff Challenge victory, she has finished second in the Julie Veltman Overnight Stakes, fourth in the Raysha's Run—Racing For A Cure Stakes and was a finalist in the OHRAI Derby.

The victory also earned Eye The Cartel a berth in the Cox Ranch Distaff Challenge Championship (G1), which will be contested at The Downs at Albuquerque during AQHA Challenge Championship Night on October 15.

Moonys Lil Flicka turned in a strong effort at 25-1 for owners James Graham and Jory Huntsman. The 4-year-old filly broke sharply, dueled for the lead and was caught in the final strides, finishing a neck behind the winner while earning $9,004.

Travis Lusk trains Moonys Lil Flicka, who was ridden by Brandon Mendez Guevara. Bred by XG Bar Racing LLC, she is by Pappasito from the Proudest Effort mare Proud Moon Bug. Moonys Lil Flicka has compiled a record of three wins, two seconds and six thirds from 19 starts and has earned $49,903. She was also a finalist in the Hadley-Giles Futurity.

Mindsette was promoted to third following the disqualification of Kissin Perfect and earned $4,502 for owners Trent Nelson and Westar Supply. Mindsette stumbled at the start before rallying and finished one-half length behind Moonys Lil Flicka.

Calli VanTassell Dominguez trains Mindsette, who was ridden by Cerapio Figueroa. Bred by Bobby D. Cox, the 4-year-old daughter of Favorite Cartel is out of Shazumba, by Shazoom. She was purchased for $25,000 at the 2025 Heritage Place Fall Mixed Sale. Mindsette has won twice with one second and three thirds from eight career starts and has earned $27,428.

Kissin Perfect initially crossed the wire third, but following an objection by the rider of Jolie Laide, stewards ruled Kissin Perfect had caused interference and disqualified her from third to sixth.

Completing the official order of finish behind Eye The Cartel, Moonys Lil Flicka, and Mindsette were RR Sweet Memories, Jolie Laide, Kissin Perfect, I Am A Cowgirl, Sage Runner, My Famous Kiss, and M E Flying Cowgirl.

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The starting gates are officially swinging open for the start of the 2026 American Quarter Horse Association racing season at Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs. The 28-day meet runs through Nov. 17, bringing higher purses and some of the region’s fastest Paint, Appaloosa and Quarter Horses back to the Claremore track.

The 2026 Will Rogers Downs fall racing schedule features average daily purses around $150,000. Racing will be conducted regularly on Mondays and Tuesdays, with Sunday racing beginning on Sept. 27, creating a three-day race week. First post will be at 12:00 p.m.

"The return of Quarter Horse racing this fall at Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs figures to be well received,” said John Lies, director of racing for Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs. “Last fall we experienced an increase in field size, and the strength of our stall applications and trainer feedback indicate we may be able to take another step forward in delivering more competitive, high-quality racing our fans have come to expect in Claremore.”

Three sets of trials for American Quarter Horse Association championship races will be offered in the first week, including Distaff Challenge Trials, the Juvenile Challenge Trials and the Derby Challenge Trials.

Overnight purses have been increased across the board for all races, including the Miss Ellen Stakes and the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association (OQHRA) Fall Classic, which both move from $24,000 to $30,000 for 2026.

Tuesday, Nov. 17, will close out the season with a final schedule that includes the $15,000-Added Speedhorse Paint and Appaloosa Futurity Championship Final, the $25,000-Added Mystery Derby Final, and the Black Gold Futurity Championship and the Black Gold Fillies Futurity Championship, both with a $123,750-Added purse.

For more information on the 2026 Quarter Horse racing season at Will Rogers Downs, visit https://www.cherokeecasino.com/games/horse-racing.

With more than 250 games, live music, heart-pounding horse racing action and impeccable service, Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs is your source of entertainment. The casino and track are both located three miles east of Claremore on Hwy. 20. For more information, visit www.cherokeecasino.com and click on the Will Rogers Downs tab, or call (918) 283-8800.

About Cherokee Nation Entertainment

Cherokee Nation Entertainment is the gaming and hospitality company of the Cherokee Nation. What began as a small bingo hall in Roland, Oklahoma, has evolved into one of the region’s largest and most dynamic gaming and hospitality enterprises, generating more than $1 billion in annual revenue, employing over 4,000 people, and welcoming more than 10 million visitors each year. With more than three decades of experience delivering world-class entertainment, CNE owns and operates the renowned Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa and nine Cherokee Casinos throughout Oklahoma, including a racino, three resort hotels, a championship golf course, and a variety of dining, retail and entertainment venues. CNE also operates Gold Strike Casino & Resort in Tunica, Mississippi, one of the most recognized gaming destinations in the Mid-South. As a key economic engine for the Cherokee Nation, CNE is deeply committed to improving the lives of Cherokee citizens and strengthening communities through job creation, cultural preservation and reinvestment in vital services. For more information, visit HardRockCasinoTulsa.com, CherokeeCasino.com and GoldStrike.com.

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