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Jr Sakes Alive Shines in $30,688 Cox Ranch Distaff Challenge Victory at Energy Downs
Jr Sakes Alive, under jockey Cristian Reyes, won the $30,688 Cox Ranch Energy Downs Distaff Challenge Stakes at Energy Downs 307 Horse Racing on Sunday.

© Jack Coady Photography
Jr Sakes Alive Shines in $30,688 Cox Ranch Distaff Challenge Victory at Energy Downs

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 Racing with a sharp wire-to-wire effort.

The 4-year-old filly stopped the clock in 19.734 seconds over 400 yards, earning a 107 speed index despite running into an 8 mph headwind on a fast track

Bred in Nevada by J R Stables, Jr Sakes Alive is a daughter of multiple stakes sire Pappasito out of Jr Mahalia, by One Famous Eagle. Ridden by Cristian Reyes and trained by Kylie Valenzuela, she races for CG Racing LLC. The victory was worth $14,414, boosting her earnings to over $134,000 from seven wins in 18 starts.

The winning connections of Jr Sakes Alive accept the Cox Ranch Energy Downs Distaff Challenge stakes trophy and buckles. © Jack Coady Photography

The win also secures Jr Sakes Alive a starting spot in the $125,000-est. Cox Distaff Challenge Championship to contested at the AQHA Challenge Championship Night in Albuquerque October 18.

Finishing a determined second was Budder Off Friends, a 5-year-old mare by four-time world champion sire FDD Dynasty out of Budderfly Effect, by Strawflyin Buds. Owned by David Hinkins and trained by Raelee Giles, she was ridden by Jose Olivo.

Bred in Oklahoma by Double Bar S Ranch LLC, the mare was a $60,000 purchase from the 2021 Heritage Place Yearling Sale. She earned $6,134 for her runner-up finish. The stakes winning mare has banked $108,579 in 33 career starts.

Rounding out the trifecta was Rayshas Pink Cartel, a 5-year-old mare by Favorite Cartel out of Rayshas Pink Sky, by Dominyun. She finished third under Jesus Virgen for owner Hemsley Ranch and trainer David Greene. Bred in Utah by Renegade Racing/Spackman Racing, she earned $3,067 today.

Also rans were Ms Flaming Finish (4th), Hotlipps Hulahan (5th), Charm (6th), West Texas Prize (7th), Sage Runner (8th), and Apollitical Paris (9th).
 

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