Catchn Southern Rays and jockey Cristian Esqueda prevail by a head in the $38,148 Cox Ranch Prairie Meadows Distaff Challenge (G3) on August 14 at Prairie Meadows.

© Jack Coady Photography

By Emily Paulk, StallioneSearch

ALTOONA, IA–AUGUST 14, 2026–Catchn Southern Rays battled to a determined victory Friday evening in the Grade 3 $38,148 Cox Ranch Prairie Meadows Distaff Challenge at Prairie Meadows.

Ridden by Cristian Esqueda, Catchn Southern Rays completed the 400 yards in :19.781, earning a 94 speed index over a muddy, sealed racing surface. The 4-year-old filly prevailed by a head over Flying Bandida, who was denied in the final stride. Rebelutionary finished another head back in third.

Catchn Southern Rays broke second from post six before finding herself fifth early. She rallied strongly through the latter stages and finished gamely to get up at the wire. Flying Bandida raced prominently throughout and held a narrow advantage before being caught in the final stride, while Rebelutionary showed early speed before settling for third.

Catchn Southern Rays is a homebred for Leann J. Burns and is trained by Stacy Charette-Hill. The Oklahoma-bred daughter of Apollitical Jess is out of the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Mary Paintyourwagon.

Winning connections of Catchn Southern Rays. © Jack Coady Photography

The victory improved her record to 21-9-2-0, while the $18,692 winner's share boosted her career earnings to $408,991. She entered Friday's race following a finalist effort in the Grade 3 Keokuk Stakes and a victory in the Grade 1 Junos Request Stakes. Her stakes record also includes a win in the 2024 Black Gold Fillies Futurity.

Flying Bandida finished second under Ramiro Garcia for owners Shari Burger and Vickie McBee and trainer Jason Olmstead. Bred by Shari Burger, the daughter of Flying Cowboy 123 is out of the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Meaningful Memories. She now has a record of 25-6-7-3 with earnings of $214,671. Earlier this season, Flying Bandida captured the Grade 2 Decketta Stakes.

Rebelutionary and jockey Alfredo Triana Jr. completed the trifecta for owner Othon Murguia and trainer Manuel Campos. Bred by Mike and Leslie Turner, the Freighttrain B filly is out of the Apollitical Jess mare Apollitical Victory and was a $19,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate.

Rebelutionary now owns a record of 13-3-5-3 with earnings of $58,578. Still in search of her first stakes victory, she was a finalist in the Prairie Meadows Gold Derby last year.

First Painteddynasty, Kissin Mary Ann, Jess A Frenchy Girl and Kyckstart My Heart completed the order of finish.

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