Challenge


Fastest Qualifier Dance The Dust Off Returns to Win $35,800 AQHA Distance Challenge at Wyoming Downs
Dance The Dust Off, under jockey Nakia Teeter, returned to win the $35,800 AQHA Distance Challenge at Wyoming Downs on Saturday afternoon.

© Gene WIlson & Associates
Fastest Qualifier Dance The Dust Off Returns to Win $35,800 AQHA Distance Challenge at Wyoming Downs

EVANSTON, WY – JUNE 25, 2022 – In a rematch of their trial race from two weeks ago, Dance The Dust Off returned to defeat Mahoney N Tacklebery and win the $35,800 AQHA Distance Challenge at Wyoming Downs on Saturday afternoon.

Dance The Dust Off ($2.00) closed and won by nearly two lengths as the fastest qualifier from two trials on June 11. With Nakia Teeter aboard, Dance the Dust Off covered the 870 yards in :45.306 and earned a 97 speed index.

Clay Teeter trains the 6-year-old gelding for owner Jewel Ramirez. He was bred in New Mexico by Sarah Donaldson Rioux, by Coronas Blackdiamond and out of the Thoroughbred mare Magic Yard, by Ghazi.

Dance The Dust Off earned $17,600 in Saturday’s win and has $81,500 from 18 starts in his career, including seven wins. The distance specialist won the Will Rogers Downs Distance Challenge (G3) last October and was fifth in last year’s AQHA Distance Challenge Championship at Albuquerque. He has also competed in graded distance stakes at Lone Star and Remington Park.

Mahoney N Tacklebery went off as the post-time favorite in the race and finished nine lengths ahead of third place finisher Stolin Train. Mahoney N Tacklebery was the second fastest qualifier after losing to Dance the Dust off by a length; Stolin Train exited the same trial as the fourth-place finisher and sixth overall fastest qualifier.

The 8-year-old son of Favorite Cartel is trained by Riley Moosman and was ridden by Jesus Valenzuela. Ben Peterson owns the gelding, who was bred in Utah by Spence Peterson, out of the Jess Louisiana Blue mare Fountain Bleu.

Mahoney N Tacklebery is an accomplished gelding with $239,355 earned in 39 career starts. He has finished in the money in 28 races, including multiple stakes. As a 2-year-old, he was second in the Bitterroot Futurity at Sandy Downs and competed in the Southwest Juvenile Championship Stakes (G1) at Zia. He found his stride in hook races shortly thereafter and has competed in the AQHA Distance Challenge Championship (G1) at Los Alamitos and Albuquerque.

Stolin Train was ridden by Francisco Linan for trainer Scott Goodrich and Goodrich Quarter Horses. The 6-year-old gelding was bred in Utah by The Running A LLC, by Desirio and out of Stoli Girl, by Stoli.

Stolin Train has $33,394 earned from 23 starts and won the Wyoming Downs Futurity in 2018.

Completing the field were Grey Handsome, Roc Starr, Brace for Bigtime, Kaul Me Dashetta and Obi One Kanobi.