Lynnder 16, ridden by Ramiro Garcia, wins the $33,940 Cox Ranch Prairie Meadows Distaff Challenge [G3] on Sunday.

© Coady Photography

ALTOONA, IA–AUGUST 18, 2024–Challenge stakes veteran, Lynnder 16 gets her first win of the season on Sunday in the $33,940 Cox Ranch Prairie Meadows Distaff Challenge [G3]. The victory earns her a berth into the $115,000 estimated Cox Ranch Distaff Challenge at the Downs at Albuquerque.

Leading trainer Jason Olmstead named jockey Ramiro Garcia to ride Lynnder 16 in the 400-yard stakes race. The eight-year-old mare clocked a 96 speed index in :19.738 seconds, winning in a photo finish by a nose over Miss Kt Perry. Her efforts paid $6.60 to win on 2-1 odds.

Lynnder 16 has 13 stakes victories, 11 of which were in Challenge Stakes competion. She also won the Remington Park Futurity [G2] in her second career out. The daughter of leading sire Apollitical Jess has lit the board 33 of 44 starts with 22 victories. The $16,970 winner's share of today's purse boosts her earnings to nearly $900,000.

The winning connections of Lynnder 16 accept the Cox Ranch Prairie Meadows Distaff Challenge stakes trophy.
© Coady Photography

The $31,000 Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale graduate was bred in Oklahoma by James and Marilyn Helzer. Tom Maher and Richard Tobin own the sorrel mare out of Tinys Corona Queen by Corona Cartel.

Favored to win, Miss Kt Perry, with Cristian Esqueda in the irons, led the entire trip but was nipped on the wire for second. The two-time winning daughter of Pyc Paint Your Wagon just came off a second place finish in the Keokuk Stakes [G3] in July.

The four-year-old Oklahoma-bred filly has earned $89,950 for owner Leann Burns. Miss Kt Perry was bred by Randy and Stacy Hill out of Kt Perry by Mr Jess Perry.

Gigi Tianna, piloted by Jorge Torres, placed third. The four-year-old daughter of Jess Louisiana Blue has two wins and $67,337 in the bank, including the Valley Junction Juvenile in 2022.

M C and Cendy Stucks bred and own Gigi Tianna in Oklahoma She is out of the Dominyun mare  Gianna Grace.

Jim Maupin trains both Miss Kt Perry and Gigi Tianna.

Five Bar Fantasy, Ruby Red Slipperz and Beep Beep Rev Rev round out the order of finish.

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About Prairie Meadows
Prairie Meadows began operations as a nonprofit organization in 1989 to promote economic development, jobs, agriculture, and tourism in Iowa. Prairie Meadows has given $2.2 billion to the state of Iowa through taxes, grants, and charitable donations. Prairie Meadows offers slot machines, table games, live and simulcast racing, sports wagering, hotel accommodations, entertainment, and more.

The 2024 Prairie Meadows 80-day meet in Altoona runs May 10 – September 28.