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The Criminal Scores An Upset Victory In The $63,767 John Deere Juvenile Challenge [G3]
The Criminal, ridden by Ramiro Garcia, wins the $63,767 John Deere Juvenile Challenge [G3] at Will Rogers Downs on Sunday.

© Coady Photography
The Criminal Scores An Upset Victory In The $63,767 John Deere Juvenile Challenge [G3]

CLAREMORE, OK–SEPTEMBER 29, 2024–The $63,767 John Deere Juvenile Challenge marked the third straight win for trainer Jason Olmstead and jockey Ramiro Garcia in the regional challenge races at Will Rogers Downs on Sunday. The trainer/jockey duo teamed up for the 350-yard win with The Criminal for owner Tom Maher, who earned his second challenge stakes win of the day.

The Criminal was the outsider going into the race on 10-1 odds, which paid $23.60 to win, $8.00 to place and $4.80 to show. The son of leading sire Apollitical Jess got off with a good start toward the middle and went all out gate-to-wire for a 3/4-length victory.

He clocked a 93 s-speed index in 17.683 seconds against a 10ph crosswind. FaThe fastest qualifier from the trials, Red Iron, and jockey Roman Cruz made a late surge at the wire for second. Fine Wine Kisses, piloted by Gonzalo Gutierrez, followed in third by a neck.

The winning connections of The Criminal accept the $63,767 John Deere Juvenile Challenge [G3] trophy at Will Rogers Downs on Sunday. © Coady Photography

The Criminal broke his maiden in the Juvenile Challenge trials and scored his second victory from six starts in the finals. The $29,333 payday boosted his earnings to $40,229. MJ Farms bred the $50,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate in New Mexico out of Ms Riptide by Ocean Runaway.

Trainer Dee Keener saddled runner-up Red Iron for owner Curt Crossland of Texas, who purchased her for $55,000 in the 2023 Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale.

The three-time winning daughter of leading second-year-sire Flying Cowboy 123 has $42,319 in career earnings and placed fourth in the Speedhorse Futurity [G3]. Bobby D. Cox bred Red Iron in Texas out of the First Down Dash mare First To Celebrate.

Trained by Kasey Willis, third-place finisher Fine Wine Kisses has yet to break her maiden from five starts and has earned $12,794 for owners Larry and Bobbie Rice. Flag Ranch LLC bred the daughter of Kiss My Hocks in Oklahoma out of Mr Perrys Wine by Mr Jess Perry.

Sr Dark Storm, Jd Dance Monkey, Mr May, Elverna Bradshaw, Wynnchester and Eyes Jess Fast round out the order of finish.