Bee A Freight Train and jockey Jose Guerrero prevail in the $52,731 AQHA Emerald Downs Championship Challenge at Emerald Downs on August 15.

By Emily Paulk, StallioneSearch

AUBURN, WA–AUGUST 15, 2026–Bee A Freight Train and jockey Jose Guerrero prevailed in a duel to win the $52,731 AQHA Emerald Downs Championship Challenge at Emerald Downs on Saturday.

Breaking sharply from the outside post, Bee A Freight Train was first away before engaging heavily favored Mysterious Cartel. The pair dueled throughout the 440-yard event, with Bee A Freight Train getting the better of his rival and drawing clear to win by one length in :21.820. He earned a 97 speed index over a fast track.

Mario Portillo trains Bee A Freight Train for owner Alberto Avila. Bred by Darian Burt, the $26,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate is by world champion sire Freighttrain B and out of the winning Apollitical Jess mare N Bee C. His female family includes champion First Moonflash ($969,929).

Bee A Freight Train entered Saturday's final off a third-place finish in the Director's Handicap. The victory improved his record to 31-15-6-1, and the $23,730 winner's share boosted his earnings to $166,464.

His stakes record includes victories in the Bragging Rights Overnight Stakes, two editions of the Rhoden Memorial Bonus Challenge Stakes, Director's Handicap, Autumn Derby, Gary & Sherilyn Blattner Memorial Derby and Emerald Downs Juvenile Challenge.

Mysterious Cartel broke third under Cesar Moreno and quickly moved to the front, dueling with Bee A Freight Train throughout. He continued to battle but could not hold off the winner, finishing one length back in :22.010 for a 92 speed index.

The 4-year-old gelding races for owner Luis Gonzalez and trainer Jose Rosales Gomez. Bred by J/R Robicheaux and Spanish Moss QH, he is a $31,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate. He is by Five Bar Cartel and out of the Valiant Hero mare Mysterious Night. His female family includes world champion Special Leader ($292,605).

Entering the race on a four-race winning streak, Mysterious Cartel now has a record of 21-9-8-2 with earnings of $267,383. His recent victories include the 307HR Open Maturity and Grade 3 AQHA Derby Challenge Championship Stakes.

Rtm Ginsburg broke second under Dakota Wood but was fifth early before making steady progress. He advanced to fourth before finishing with a steady effort to secure third, two lengths behind Mysterious Cartel, in :22.210 for an 88 speed index.

Rtm Ginsburg races for owner Rtm Stables LLC and trainer Mark Hanson. Bred by Susan Hanson, the 6-year-old gelding is by First Moonflash and out of the Chickie Cherry Cola mare Rtm Say Your Prayers. He now has a record of 25-7-4-4 with earnings of $61,230. He won the Idaho Bred Maturity in 2024.

Dc Ladys Dashn Eagle finished fourth, followed by Dash For Zaylee, Dash To The Flash T, Da Bros Cartel, Mr Royal Cartel, Lee Five T, Bds Dally An Eagle and Cm Mr Boombastic.

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