Grade 1 winner Dance The Dust Off will head two trials Saturday for the $25,000-added Q-Racing Video Wyoming Downs Distance Challenge.

© Coady Media

By StallioneSearch

EVANSTON, WY–JUNE 27, 2025–Wyoming Downs will host two competitive trials for the Q-Racing Video Wyoming Downs Distance Challenge on Saturday’s race card.

The eight fastest Challenge-enrolled qualifiers from the 870-yard trials will advance to the final on July 12, where they will compete for the winner’s share of a $25,000-added purse and a spot in the $115,000 Q-Racing Video Distance Challenge Championship (G1).

That championship will be held at Albuquerque Downs on October 18 during AQHA Challenge Championship Night.

Grade 1 winner Dance The Dust Off will make his first start of the season in the first trial for owner Jewell Ramirez and trainer Tori Hadley. The nine-year-old son of Coronas Blackdiamond has won 14 of 34 career starts, highlighted by a victory in the AQHA Distance Challenge Championship (G1) in 2022.

Two races ago, he won the $22,000 Governor’s Cup 870 Handicap at Wyoming Downs by a length. Dance The Dust Off will break from post position two under rider Nakia Teeter, returning from a layoff since finishing fifth in the 2024 Distance Challenge Championship (G1) at Albuquerque last fall.

Sassquach has been named the second trial's 8-5 morning line favorite. In his most recent start, the four-year-old gelding by champion Jess Good Candy scored by 2-3/4 lengths in a 660-yard Allowance at Jerome. 

Bred in Idaho, Sassquach is trained by Jarrett Mills for owner-breeders Eric Blackner and CG Racing LLC.

The Wyoming Downs Distance Challenge trials promise to deliver strong competition as proven veterans and rising contenders look to secure their place in the lucrative championship final.

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