Hez Our Money Secret, ridden by Hector Aldrete, wins the BOA Challenge Championship at the Downs at Albuquerque by 3/4-length Sunday evening.

© Coady Photography

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–AUGUST 20, 2022–Coming off of a hard finish for seventh in the Wayne Brasher Memorial Stakes last month, Hez Our Money Secret makes a solid debut in the $71,247 Bank of America Challenge Championship Stakes today at The Downs at Albuquerque.

Hector Aldrete and Hez Our Money Secret took lead of the 440-yard course at first call never looking back to cross the wire first and upset post-time favorite Kj Frankie B. Going into the race with 7/1 odds, the 4-year-old gelding’s effort paid $18.20 to win.

The winning connections of Hez Our Money Secret accept the Bank of American Challenge Championship Stakes trophy Sunday night at the Downs at Albuquerque.
© Coady Photography

The BOA Challenge Championship was the first stakes win for Hez Our Money Secret and the winner’s portion of the purse upped his bankroll to $83,639. Trained by Oscar Carrette, the multiple stakes finalist by Hez Our Secret has visited the winner’s circle four times for owner Abel Romero.

Bred by Johnny Trotter of Texas, Hez Our Money Secret is an $11,000 Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale graduate from 2019. His dam is Gotta Money Pop by Man In The Money.

Runner-up Kj Frankie B, under the guidance of Cordarelton Benn, was wagered to be the winner but Hez Our Money Secret proved too tough placing him second by 3/4-length. The son of world champion sire Apollitical Jess is a Grade 2 stakes winner with $226,185 in career earnings.

Bred by John and Kathy Lee of Arizona, Kj Frankie B is trained by Wes Giles. The 5-year-old gelding is out of Xquizit by Ivory James. He is owned by John and Kathy Lee and Ruben Mares.

Mias Irish Dynasty broke fifth from the gates and after being pushed by her jockey Francisco Cueller had a late rally for third in the BOA Championship Challenge. The 7-year-old gelding by Jr Dynasty Mountain has earned $86,977 for owner/trainer Felipe Rivera, Sr. Mias Irish Dynasty was bred by Walter Finder of Utah and his dam is the Strawflying Buds daughter Mias Runnin.

The remaining order of finish is Fare Wall, Cc Revv Her, Dowhatigotta and Charlies Fast Man.

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Albuquerque Downs Racetrack and Casino is located in the heart of Albuquerque at Expo New Mexico, the home of the New Mexico State Fair, and general admission and parking are always free (via the casino entrance on Louisiana and Central). For more information, visit abqdowns.com and click on the "Racing" link at the top of the homepage.