Sheza Fearless Eagle and jockey Edwin Escobedo draw away to win the $30,855 Cox Ranch Distaff Challenge on July 18 at Arapahoe Park.

© Coady Media

By Emily Paulk, StallioneSearch

AURORA, CO–JULY 18, 2026–Sheza Fearless Eagle proved much the best in the $30,855 Cox Ranch Distaff Challenge on July 18 at Arapahoe Park.

Ridden by Edwin Escobedo, the filly overcame a stumbling start to draw off for a 2¾-length victory, covering 400 yards in :19.729 while earning a 102 speed index.

Trained by Fernando Ivan Manriquez for owner Jill Cook, who co-bred the filly with M. Vaughn, Sheza Fearless Eagle was a $16,000 repurchase at the Heritage Place Yearling Sale. The daughter of One Fabulous Eagle is out of Ima Fearless Fire and is a half-sister to stakes winner Fearless Fortitude ($107,297).

Winning connections of Sheza Fearless Eagle. © Coady Media

Her female family also includes Dams of Distinction Dasha Freda ($111,741) and Fearless Freda ($262,121), along with AQHA World Champion Heza Dasha Fire ($2,240,112).

The $18,513 winner's share of the purse increased her earnings to $294,856 while improving her record to nine wins, one second, and five thirds from 19 starts. She entered the race off a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Junos Request Stakes and has previously won the Grade 3 Valley Junction Futurity, Mile High Derby, and Lucille Rowe Derby.

Ranch Woman rallied to finish second under Brandon Guevara for owner and trainer Alex Torres-Casas.

Bred by Robert Roark, the daughter of The Marfa Lights out of the Ketel Won mare Miss Ketel Cameo completed the 400 yards in :20.194, earning a 90 speed index.

She now owns a record of one win, four seconds, and one third from 11 starts with earnings of $32,648.

Alex Torres-Casas also saddled Flying Fabulous to a third-place finish under Jose Rodriguez. Bred by Rodney Christiansen, the mare is by One Fabulous Eagle and out of the Good Reason SA mare The Next Good Reason.

She stopped the clock in :20.246 for an 88 speed index. Flying Fabulous now sports a record of two wins, one second, and three thirds from 15 starts with earnings of $34,729.

Sunshining, Sage Runner, Lettibefirst, and Brindis Thrasher completed the order of finish.

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