Challenge


Astranomical Leads the Way in $43,010 Adequan Prairie Meadows Derby Challenge
Astranomical, under jockey Jorge Torres, drives to victory in the $43,010 Adequan Prairie Meadows Derby (G3) on Saturday.

© Coady Photography
Astranomical Leads the Way in $43,010 Adequan Prairie Meadows Derby Challenge

ALTOONA, IA—AUGUST 15, 2020—After breaking sharply, Astranomical kept to task and built her lead to win the $43,010 Adequan Prairie Meadows Derby (G3), the second of four regional Challenge qualifier stakes on Saturday afternoon.

With Jorge Torres aboard, Astranomical ($7.30) won the 400-yard Derby by a half-length in 19.840 and earned a 92 speed index.

The filly also picked up an invite to the $150,000-est. Adequan Derby Challenge Championship (G3) to be contested October 24th during the Bank of America Challenge Championship Night at The Downs at Albuquerque.

Astranomical is trained by Stacy Charette-Hill and is owned by M. C. Stucks. She was bred in Oklahoma by Bobby Cox, out of Quick Moon Sign, by Royal Quick Dash.

The Dominyun filly was the fastest qualifier to the Iowa Double Gold Derby at Prairie earlier this summer. Prior to that, all her career efforts had been in Remington, including a third-place finish in the Oklahoma Derby (G3) in March.

With her first career stakes win, Astranomical has earned $74,533 and has won half of her eight career starts.

Upset-minded Mott the Hopple and Cristian Esqueda ran well along the inside for trainer Casey Black to finish in second place as the second-highest price in the field. The Dashair gelding is owned and bred by Mark Cassel in Alberta, out of Sr Rode Tah Glory, by Latest Version.

Mott the Hopple is still a maiden and is lightly raced with just four career starts. He debuted at Canterbury and was second in his most recent start and first race of his 3-year-old campaign.

Divas First Moon and Uriel Cervantes just missed and finished in third place for trainer Bob Johnson.

Divas First Moon is a multiple stakes winner for owner and breeder David Wisdom. The North Dakota-bred daughter of First Moonflash is out of Shake Em Diva, by Royal Shake Em.

As a 2-year-old, Divas First Moon finished second the NDQHRA Futurity at North Dakota and won the 1889 Futurity at Canterbury. She won the John Deere Prairie Meadows Juvenile Challenge and represented the region in the John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship (G2) at Albuquerque.

Completing the field were Sizzlin Chick Corona, Apollitical J Julia, Summer Dynasty, Sfs Happy Tail, Pollitical Form, Fastest Leader and Ts Dash to the End. Venice Moon was scratched.