Jockey Jacob Enriquez got a hat-trick today aboard Paige in the $52,266 Cox Ranch New Mexico Distaff Challenge on Friday afternoon at The Downs at Albuquerque.

© Coady Media

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

ALBUQUERQUE, NM—SEPTEMBER 26, 2025—Paige surged in the final yards to capture the $52,266 Cox Ranch New Mexico Distaff Challenge on Friday afternoon at The Downs at Albuquerque, edging rival Amber Alerrt in a thrilling finish at 400 yards.

The 5-year-old sorrel mare stopped the clock in 19.443 seconds, earning a 93 speed index, under jockey Jacob Enriquez while facing an 8 mph crosswind on a fast track.

Paige, a daughter of champion Tempting Dash out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Transaxle, was bred in Oklahoma by Carol S. Smith. Racing for CNN Breeding and trained by Clinton Crawford.

Paige overcame a sluggish break, rallied late, and was up just in time to win by a nose.

The $24,565 winner’s share boosted her career bankroll to $254,892. She entered the race off a win in the Grade 2 Ballon City Handicap in her last start on September 7.

This race sets her up perfectly to be the probable favorite in the $125,000 Cox Ranch Distaff Challenge Championship, which will be run on October 18 at Albuquerque during the AQHA Challenge Championship Night.

A $38,000 purchase at the 2021 Heritage Place Yearling Sale, Paige rewarded backers with $4.20 to win, $3.00 to place, and $2.40 to show.

Amber Alerrt, a 3-year-old sorrel filly by Walk Thru Fire out of Shez Jess Toxic by Take Off Jess, nearly pulled the upset. Bred in Oklahoma by Dean R. Frey, she races for Frey and Harvey Case and is trained by Dean Frey.

With Bryan Candanosa aboard, Amber Alerrt chased gamely throughout, led briefly in the final yards, but just missed at the wire to finish second by a head. A half-sister to two-time world champion Danjur, she earned $10,453 for the runner-up effort and pushed her earnings to $55,811. She returned $3.40 to place and $2.60 to show.

Shes Fancy closed strongly to finish third, another neck back. The 3-year-old brown filly is by Apollitical Jess out of Adolph Tres Knockout by Tres Seis, bred in Oklahoma by Five Puig Racing LLC.

She is owned by La Feliz Montana Ranch LLC, trained by Xavier Rodriguez, and ridden by Luis Martinez. Shes Fancy, a $165,000 Ruidoso Yearling Sale purchase in 2023, collected $5,227 for third. An earner of $34,105, she paid $6.60 to show.

Editor's Note: A photo of the fastest qualifier will be posted with this story when it becomes available from the track photographer.

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