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AQHA/Bank of America Racing Challenge Archives

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AQHA/Bank of America Racing Challenge Archives

LOS ALAMITOS, CA–AUGUST 9, 2025–Keith Nellesen's Trident IOT earned his ticket to the AQHA Racing Challenge after posting a surprising victory in the $53,856 John Deere California Juvenile Challenge on Saturday at Los Alamitos.
Sent off at odds of 20-1, Trident IOT broke okay, but picked up speed in a hurry, moving up to challenge for the lead near the midway point of the 350-yard race before pulling away ...

By Louanne Wainscott/Stallionesearch
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO–AUGUST 7, 2025–The Sunday card at Hipódromo De Las Américas will showcase three stakes events, highlighted by the $44,174.95 AQHA Hipodromo De Las Americas Championship Challenge in race one. Also on tap are the $38,484.50 Jody’s Glory Classic in race six, and the Mexico Bred Distaff Derby Trials in races nine and ten.
The AQHA Hipodromo De Las Americas Championship Challenge opener will cover 440 yards, with three contenders vying for the championship ...

LOS ALAMITOS, CA–AUGUST 7, 2025–Longtime owner James Sills will look to score another stakes victory at Los Alamitos when he is represented by fastest qualifier Hockrodd in the $50,000 (est.) John Deere Juvenile California Challenge on Saturday at Los Alamitos.
The winner will advance to the AQHA Challenge Championships Night at ...

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch
ALTOONA, IA—JULY 31, 2025—Stakes winner Catchn Southern Rays turned in the fastest qualifying time on Thursday evening to headline the ten finalists for the $48,807 Adequan Prairie Meadows Derby Challenge for Challenge-enrolled 3-year-olds.
The 400-yard final is set for Sunday, August 17, at Prairie Meadows, with the winner also earning a berth in the $165,000-est. Adequan Derby Challenge Championship (G3) on October 18 at The Downs at ...

By StallioneSearch
ALTOONA, IA–JULY 29, 2025–Prairie Meadows will host a pair of 400-yard trials on Thursday evening, July 31, for the $30,000-added 2025 Adequan Prairie Meadows Derby Challenge.
First post is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CDT, with the trials comprising Races 2 and 3 on the card. The fastest qualifiers from the trials will return for the 400-yard final on Sunday, ...

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch
GRANDE PRAIRIE, AB—JULY 27, 2025—In a thrilling blanket finish, Pretty Sweet Jess surged late to claim the $18,476(US) Cox Ranch Distaff Challenge Stakes at Grande Prairie over a distance of 400 yards.
The 4-year-old sorrel filly clocked 20.614 seconds on a good track, holding off a determined rally from First Famous Prize by a head in a ...

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch
ALTOONA, IA—JULY 27, 2025—A trio of sharp juveniles punched their tickets to the $70,125 John Deere Prairie Meadows Juvenile Challenge final on Saturday, August 16, with fast efforts in Sunday’s trials at Prairie Meadows. ...

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch
AUBURN, WA—JULY 27, 2025—Two competitive 440-yard trials were held Sunday at Emerald Downs in Auburn, Washington, to determine the field for the $40,000-added AQHA Racing Emerald Downs Championship Challenge.
The final, set for Saturday, August 16, 2025, will feature the ten fastest qualifiers ...

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch
AUBURN, WA—JULY 27, 2025—Kr Cartels Calamity emerged as the fastest qualifier from two trials held Sunday afternoon at Emerald Downs for the $30,000-added John Deere Emerald Downs Juvenile Challenge, setting the stage for an exciting final on ...

SHAKOPEE, MN—JULY 23, 2025—Thursday’s Grade 3 Canterbury Park Distaff Challenge will be a reunion of sorts for several of the racetrack’s all-time top trainers with Jason Olmstead, Ed Ross Hardy, Jerry Livingston and Stacy Charette-Hill each represented.
Former leading riders Edwin Escobedo and Cristian ...

By StallioneSearch
ALTOONA, IA—JULY 22, 2025—A field of talented 2-year-olds will line up Saturday, July 27, at Prairie Meadows for a pair of 350-yard trials to determine the qualifiers for the $30,000-added 2025 John Deere Prairie Meadows Juvenile Challenge final.
The trials are exclusively for Challenge-enrolled juveniles. The ten fastest times advance to the final, which is set for Saturday, August 16.
First post time for Saturday’s card is 4:00 p.m. (CDT) at the central Iowa ...
By Louanne Wainscott/Stallionesearch
SHAKOPEE, MN–JULY 21, 2025–Thursday evening’s feature at Canterbury Park puts the spotlight squarely on the ladies as the Grade 3 Canterbury Park Distaff Challenge assembles a sharp field of seven AQHA Challenge-enrolled fillies and mares, three years old and up. With a 400-yard dash on tap and a $30,000-added purse, the stakes are high—not only for the money but for a coveted berth in the Distaff Challenge Championship final at the Downs at Albuquerque on October ...

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch
EDMONTON, AB—JULY 19, 2025—O Sawyer delivered a wire-to-wire performance over a muddy Century Mile racetrack to win the $40,765(US) John Deere Century Mile Juvenile Challenge for Challenge-enrolled 2-year-old Quarter Horses.
The black gelding surged from the gate and never looked back in the 350-yard regional final, stopping the clock in 18.132 ...

LOS ALAMITOS, CA–JULY 19, 2025–Owner James Sills has had a nice string of successes at Los Alamitos over the last 18 months. The longtime owner from Texas has shared many of those triumphs with longtime partner Abel Flores, as they've co-owned Cedar Hill, the winner of the 2024 Grade 2 Robert Adair Kindergarten Futurity, and Shaken Going On, the winner of the 2025 Grade 1 Los Alamitos Oaks.
Sills and Flores also co-owned A Toss Up, who won ...

By StallioneSearch
EDMONTON, ONT–JULY 18, 2025–A field of promising two-year-old Quarter Horses will line up for the $40,766(CAN) John Deere Juvenile Challenge at Century Mile Racetrack and Casino on Friday, July 18, going 350 yards in the second race of the evening.
First post is 5:15 p.m. (MDT) with Exacta, Trifecta, and Superfecta wagering available on the feature. ...

LOS ALAMITOS, CA–JULY 17, 2025–Keith Nellesen’s Trident IOT and Salvador Flores, Jr.’s Elmer Romero, a pair of Grade 2 Robert Adair Kindergarten Futurity finalists, will face off in the second of two trials to the John Deere Juvenile California Challenge on Saturday night at Los Alamitos.
Fourteen juveniles will be in action with a pair of 350-yard trials to be contested here. The 2-year-olds with the 10 fastest times will advance for ...

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch
EVANSTON, WY—JULY 12, 2025—Showing grit and determination, Jess No Secrets surged clear to win the $38,428 Q-Racing Video Wyoming Distance Challenge Stakes at Wyoming Downs on Saturday afternoon, securing a berth in the Grade 1 $115,000-estimated Q-Racing Video Distance Challenge Championship on October 18 at The Downs at Albuquerque.
Bred and ...

By StallioneSearch
EVANSTON, WY—JULY 10, 2025—A competitive field of distance specialists will line up in Race 3 at Wyoming Downs on Saturday, July 12, for the $30,000 Q-Racing Video Wyoming Downs Distance Challenge Stakes.
The 870-yard final will highlight the day’s card at the Evanston oval, with first post set for 1:00 ...

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch
GRANTS PASS, OR–JULY 5, 2025–Grants Pass Downs played host to an exciting edition of the $52,454 Adequan Grants Pass Derby Challenge on Saturday, July 5, where Eyez On Corona edged out a competitive field to secure the win by a narrow half-length margin.
The 3-year-old brown gelding by The Cartel Hawk out of Angel Eyez by FDD Dynasty stopped the clock in 19.423 seconds for the 400-yard dash on a fast ...

By Louanne Wainscott/Stallionesearch
GRANTS PASS, OR–JULY 4, 2025–Saturday afternoon’s racing card at Grants Pass Downs is headlined by the prestigious $52,454 Adequan Grants Pass Derby Challenge, with the seventh race set to feature a competitive field of talented three-year-olds going 400 yards. Ten finalists have emerged from the qualifying heats and will vie for the winner’s share of the purse and a berth in the AQHA Derby Challenge Championship this fall.
Mysterious Cartel, the second-fastest qualifier, headlines from the rail in post position one at morning line odds of 3-1. Bred in Texas, the son of ...

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch
ENDMONTON, ONT–JUNE 28, 2025–Two trials for the $30,000-added John Deere Century Mile Juvenile Challenge took place on Saturday, showcasing impressive performances that set the stage for the final on July 19. The winner of this final will secure a spot in the John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship, scheduled for October 18 in Albuquerque.
West Southwest, a 2-year-old filly by Mpshinning, qualified with the fastest time of the day after taking command at the first call and drawing off to win by a half-length over O Sawyer. Ridden by Alfredo ...

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch
EVANSTON, WY– JUNE 28, 2025–Two 870-yard trials for the $25,000-added Q-Racing Video Wyoming Downs Distance Challenge were held June 28 at Wyoming Downs to determine qualifiers for the July 12 final. The winner of the final will earn a berth in the Grade 1 Q-Racing Video Distance Challenge Championship on October 18 at The Downs at Albuquerque.
Jess No Secrets secured the top position among qualifiers after a close finish in the second of two trials. The six-year-old gelding made a strong ...

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch
EDMONTON, ALB–JUNE 27, 2025–First Famous Prize delivered a sharp performance to win the $26,048(US) Adequan Century Mile Derby Challenge for AQHA Challenge-enrolled 3-year-olds on June 27 at Century Mile.
Breaking alertly under jockey Martin Ortiz, the sorrel filly by One Famous Eagle out of Fancy First Prize by Desiro covered the 400 yards in 20.037 seconds with a 12-mph tailwind, earning a 95 speed ...

By Louanne Wainscott, StallioneSearch
EDMONTON, AB–JUNE 27, 2025–Ten eager maidens are set to break from the gates on Saturday, June 28, in two trial heats of the 350-yard John Deere Century Mile Juvenile Challenge Trials, each looking to secure a spot in the $30,000 guaranteed ...

First Famous Prize, Team Rip 109, Sizzles Boss Headline $35,530 Adequan Century Mile Derby Challenge
By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch
EDMONTON, ALB–JUNE 26, 2025–The 2025 edition of the $35,530(CAN) Adequan Century Mile Derby Challenge Final is set to go off as Race 1 at Century Mile Racetrack and Casino on Thursday, June 27, with a scheduled post time of 6:15 PM (MT).
Contested at 400 yards, the race features a field of 3-year-old Quarter Horses enrolled in the AQHA Challenge program. In addition to the winner’s share of the purse, the victor will secure a berth in the $165,000-est. Adequan Derby Challenge ... 
By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch
MEXICO CITY, MEX–JUNE 22, 2025– In a stunning turn of events Sunday evening at the Hipodromo de las Americas, Pacific Surfliner stormed to victory through the mud in the 30th running of the $48,000 John Deere Juvenile Challenge. The win clinched her a coveted berth in the Grade 2 John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship, set for October 18 at the Downs at Albuquerque.
Sent off as an 18-1 longshot from the morning line, the Pacific Surfliner surged across the 350-yard distance in 17.57 seconds, clocking an 83 speed index and upending heavy favorite Dark Water Bay by 2 1/4-lengths to ...

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch
MEXICO CITY, MEX–JUNE 22, 2025—In a decisive final stretch drive, Dk Crystal Favorite lived up to her billing as the post-time favorite by capturing the 27th running of the $38,600 Adequan Derby Challenge on Sunday at the Hipodromo de las Americas. The victory secured her spot in the Grade 3 Adequan Derby Challenge Championship to be held October 18 at The Downs at ...

La Peralta and Mysterious Cartel Top Qualifiers for $30,000-Added Adequan Grants Pass Derby Challeng
By StallioneSearach
GRANTS PASS, OR—JUNE 21, 2025—La Peralta and Mysterious Cartel emerged as the fastest qualifiers from two trials held Saturday at Grants Pass for the $52,453 Adequan Grants Pass Derby Challenge.
The 400-yard final, open to Challenge-enrolled 3-year-olds who ... 
By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch
GRANTS PASS, OR–JUNE 20, 2025–The Adequan® Grants Pass Derby Challenge begins with two trial heats scheduled for Saturday, June 21, at Grants Pass Downs, with a first post of 3:00 PM.
These $4,000 trials are open to AQHA Challenge-enrolled 3-year-olds aiming ...

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch
MEXICO CITY, MEX—JUNE 19, 2025—Sunday’s race card at Hipódromo de las Américas will spotlight three major stakes races, each offering significant opportunities for juveniles and sophomores on the international stage. Two of the races—the John Deere Juvenile Challenge and the Adequan Derby Challenge—will award berths into the Challenge Championships scheduled for October 18 at The Downs at Albuquerque.
The action begins in Race 6, the 30th running of the $48,000 John Deere Juvenile Challenge, which serves as a regional qualifier for the Grade 2 John Deere ...

By StallioneSearch
GILLETTE, WY—JUNE 15, 2025—Multiple stakes winner Jr Sakes Alive broke on top and held strong to the wire, capturing Sunday’s $30,688 Cox Ranch Energy Downs Distaff Challenge Stakes at Energy Downs 307 Horse ...

By Leann Noguera/StallioneSearch
MEXICO CITY, MX–JUNE 1, 2025–Two trial heats were contested Sunday afternoon at the Hipódromo de las Américas to determine the field for the $30,000-added John Deere Hipódromo de las Américas Juvenile Challenge, and it was One Famous Temptaton who topped all qualifiers with a commanding performance.
One Famous Temptaton stopped the clock in 17.599 seconds, posting an 82 speed index with a surprise wire-to-wire victory. The son of Tempting Dash defeated CCB Rich Ranch Boy and the morning-line favorite Dark Water Bay by ...

by Leann Noguera/StallioneSearch
MEXICO CITY, MEX–MAY 29, 2025–A total of nineteen juveniles will participate in two trials this Sunday at the Hipodromo de las Americas, aiming to secure a spot among the ten qualifiers for the $30,000-added John Deere Hipodromo de las Americas Juvenile Challenge finals scheduled for June 22.
The 5-2 morning-line favorite from race eight is Sjm Cowboy Desires, who is only one of two contenders in the trials to have ...

LOS ALAMITOS, CA–MAY 18, 2025–The AQHA Racing Challenge Championships have been good to Marc Jungers over the past two years. The trainer, who enjoyed the best year of his career in 2024, had one of his biggest wins with Shakers No Secret in the Grade 1 AQHA Racing Challenge Championship Stakes at The Downs at Albuquerque last October.
Jungers is having success once again in the Challenge Championships after saddling Tungsten Racing Partnership, Pavon Racing, LLC, Empire Racing, and Heysol Howlet’s Invasive to victory in the $44,880 Adequan California Derby ...

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch
HOUSTON, TX – MAY 17, 2025 –In an impressive display of speed, Full Moon Desire, the fastest qualifier, clinched victory in the Grade 3 $121,082 John Deere Sam Houston Juvenile Challenge today at Sam Houston Race Park, winning by 1-1/4 lengths under jockey Victor Urieta, Jr.
Trained by Dimas Sanchez, the filly, a daughter of the multiple stakes winner Chilitos, has now notched two wins in as many ...

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch
HOUSTON, TX–MAY 17, 2025–In a thrilling conclusion, Jessesflyincowgirl, the post-time favorite, narrowly defeated Party On The Moon to clinch the $65,450 Adequan Sam Houston Challenge Derby by a neck Saturday afternoon at Sam Houston Race Park.
Jockey Christian ...

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch
HOUSTON, TX–MAY 17, 2025–In an impressive season opener, Grade 1 winner The Grand Legend showcased his talent by defeating a field of six in the $37,774 Q-Racing Video Sam Houston Distance Challenge on Saturday at Sam Houston Race Park. Jockey Noe Villatoro guided the 6-year-old son of FDD Going Grand to a commanding six-length victory, marking the 17th ...

LOS ALAMITOS, CA–MAY 16, 2025–Reliance Ranches' Holmybeeranwatchthis will look to improve his record to a perfect four for four in 2025 after being supplemented to run in the $44,880 Adequan California Derby Challenge on Sunday night at Los Alamitos.
Nine ...

By Martha Claussen
HOUSTON, TX–MAY 13, 2025–Quarter Horse racing fans are in for a treat on Saturday, May 17 at ...

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch.com
HOUSTON, TX–APRIL 26, 2025–Sixty-four juveniles participated in seven trials for the Sam Houston John Deere Juvenile Challenge on Saturday, competing for one of ten spots in the $121,082 Grade 3 finals scheduled for May 17. Full Moon Desire emerged victorious in her maiden debut during the second trial of the evening, achieving the fastest qualifying time.
Piloted by Victor Urieta Jr., Full Moon Desire had a quick start, taking the lead at the first call and crossing the finish line 2 ...

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch.com
HOUSTON, TX–APRIL 25, 2025–Stablemates Rockin The Train and Kick Seis claimed two of three trials for the Adequan Sam Houston Derby on Friday to post the first and third fastest qualifying times, respectively, for owner Deborah Gotovac and trainer Bradley Bolen.
The 10 fastest qualifiers from ...

BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI
HOUSTON, TX–APRIL 23, 2025–Sixty-four 2-year-olds are entered in seven John Deere Sam Houston Juvenile Challenge (G3) trials Saturday at Sam Houston Race Park.
Holms, a sorrel son of world champion ...

BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI
HOUSTON, TX–APRIL 21, 2025–Twenty-four 3-year-olds, led by Debra Gotovac's Party On The Moon, are entered in Friday's 400-yard Adequan Sam Houston Derby Challenge trials at Sam Houston Race Park.
A $28,000 yearling purchase at the 2023 New Mexico-Bred Sale at Ruidoso Downs, Party On The Moon has won his ...

PHOENIX, AZ—APRIL 15, 2025—The Championship Challenge returned to Turf Paradise this year with graded stakes winner Scoops Dynasty putting in a game effort to defeat all-time leading money earner Kj Desparado in the $53,014 AQHA Turf Paradise Championship Challenge today.
Jockey Jacob Enriquez used a quick start from the gate to take a half-length lead, then held off two-time champion Kj Desparado by a nose. Scoops Dynasty completed the ...

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK—APRIL 6, 2025—Starting off a second-place effort in the 550-yard Grade 2 SLM Big Daddy Stakes last month, trainer Michael Joiner shortened Js On Fire to the classic Quarter Horse Distance on Sunday at Remington Park.
The move worked beautifully as Js On Fire dueled early and then finished strongest late under jockey Bryan Candanosa to defeat One Stolin Eagle by half-a-length in the $68,535 AQHA Remington Park Championship Challenge(G2).
"In regards to the SLM ...

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK–APRIL 6, 2025–Distance powerhouse O Donovan Rossa, pulled off his first win of the season as 2-1 favorite in the $35,156 Q-Racing Video Distance Challenge Stakes [G2] for the second year in a row at Remington Park on Sunday.
Jockey Roman Cruz got the call aboard O Donovan Rossa for his gate-to-wire victory. The seven-year-old gelding clocked a 99 speed index in 45.069 seconds in a duel for the win with Invincible Streak and Wynnchester who both rallied for the wire. Favored to win, the ...

BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK–APRIL 5, 2025–Two graded stakes from the AQHA Racing Challenge program, previously scheduled last week but canceled due to weather, headline Sunday's 12-race program at Remington Park.
Eight aged runners are entered in Sunday's 440-yard, $68,535 AQHA Remington Championship Challenge (G2). The winner of this race will earn a berth in the October 18 AQHA Challenge Championship (G1) at ...

AMARILLO, TX–APRIL 4, 2025– In 2025, the AQHA Racing Challenge offers regional stakes in the following divisions:
> AQHA Racing Championship Challenge division: 440 yards, 3-year-olds and up > Adequan® Derby division: 400 yards, 3-year-olds > John Deere Juvenile Challenge: 350 yards, 2-year-olds > Cox Ranch Distaff Challenge: ...

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK–MARCH 29, 2025–Remington Park management postponed the last races on the 12-race card Saturday night – the Grade 2, $35,156 Q-Racing Video Distance Challenge and the Grade 2, $68,535 AQHA Remington Park Challenge - due to severe weather that moved into the Oklahoma City area.
Lightning could be seen moving toward Remington Park as horses came onto the track for race 11. The group was immediately directed to return to the paddock as lightning began striking regularly within three miles of the track. As more weather was expected to threaten over the next few hours, the decision was made to cancel the final two races for ...

BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK–MARCH 28, 2025–Two graded stakes from the AQHA Racing Challenge program headline Saturday's 12-race program at Remington Park.
Eight aged runners are entered in Saturday's 440-yard, $60,000-added AQHA Remington Championship Challenge (G2). The winner of this race will earn a berth in the October 18 AQHA Challenge Championship (G1) at Albuquerque Downs.
Bradbury Racing's Nothin Like You, a homebred 6-year-old son of Favorite Cartel trained by John Hammes, will be making his first start since October 26, when he ran second, a neck behind winner Shakers No Secret, in the 440-yard, $278,000 AQHA Racing Challenge Championship (G1) The Colorado-bred gelding drew ...