Armando Alvidrez guides Jessa Southern Girl to the fastest qualifying time for the estimated $56,006 John Deere Prairie Meadows Juvenile Challenge on July 26 at Prairie Meadows.

© Coady Media

By Emily Paulk, StallioneSearch

ALTOONA, IA–JULY 26, 2026–Jessa Southern Girl posted the fastest qualifying time from two trials Sunday for the estimated $56,006 John Deere Prairie Meadows Juvenile Challenge, setting the stage for the August 15 final at Prairie Meadows.

Ridden by Armando Alvidrez, Jessa Southern Girl rallied late to win the second trial by a half-length, covering 350 yards in :17.801 and earning an 87 speed index, the quickest mark of the evening.

Owned by Robert Brown and trained by Jason Olmstead, the bay filly is a $103,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate bred by Leann Burns. The daughter of world champion Apollitical Jess is out of the stakes-placed PYC Paint Your Wagon mare Mary Paintyourwagon and is a full sister to stakes winner Catchn Southern Rays ($390,299).

The victory improved her record to 4-2-0-0 with earnings of $14,025 as she continues her search for a first stakes victory.

Counter 44 captured the opening trial under Angel Ramirez to secure the second-fastest qualifying time. The Charley Hunt trainee dueled for the lead before edging clear by a half-length in :17.819, earning an 86 speed index.

A homebred for owner-breeder Nancy McCoy, the son of champion Flying Cowboy 123 is out of the Corona Cartel mare Im Gone For A Corona. The victory came in just his second career start.

It Houston held on for second behind Jessa Southern Girl while recording the third-fastest qualifying time. Ridden by Alfredo Triana Jr. for owner Cody Bowling and trainer Tammy Kay Johnson, the gelding stopped the clock in :17.867 with an 85 speed index after leading most of the way before being overtaken late.

Bred by Melissa Slayton, the son of The Fiscal Cliff is out of the Okey Doke Dale mare Okey Needs Magic. His record now stands at 5-1-3-0 with earnings of $18,191.

The John Deere Prairie Meadows Juvenile Challenge final is scheduled for August 15 at Prairie Meadows.

VIEW FULL LIST OF QUALIFIERS HERE. 

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