On Sunday, Ruben Lozano piloted Peregrino Af (#9) to a nose win over Angelz Diva (#5) in the $47,872 Grants Pass AQHA Adequan Derby Challenge.

© Vince & Linda Williams

GRANTS PASS, OR–JUNE 30, 2024–Fastest qualifier from the trials, Peregrino Af, returns for the win in the finals of the $47,872 Grants Pass AQHA Adequan Derby Challenge on Sunday.

Ruben Lozano was aboard Peregrino Af for a three-way photo finish at the wire. Peregrino Af battled down the 400-yard straight away with Angelz Diva and Da Bros Cartel. The son of Separtaist won the nod by a nose, clocking a 101 speed index in :19.658 seconds. The slight upset paid $17.00 to win on 7/1 odds.

Peregrino Af improved his record to three wins from 12 starts, and the $22,021 winner's share of the purse increased his lifetime earnings to $41,640. Jose Rosales Gomez saddled the gray colt out of Misterious Lady by Mr Eye Opener for owner/breeder Arturo Fuentes-Lopez.

The Washington-bred colt won the Pocatello Downs Spring Futurity Consolation and placed third in the Emerald Downs Juvenile Challenge Stakes. He was a finalist in the Firecracker Futurity at Grants Pass, Far West Futurity, Weber Downs C&G Derby, and Gary & Sherilyn Blattner Memorial Derby.

Jose Beltran piloted Angelz Diva to her second-place finish, and the longshot paid $18.00 to place on 14/1 odds. The lightly raced filly has yet to break her maiden from only three starts and has earned $9,894 for her owner, Roberto Guzman Herrera.

Jorge Carmona conditions the daughter of Carters Cartel. Ruben Magallanes bred Angelz Diva in Oregon out of the FDD Dynasty mare Angel Eyez.

Cesar Moreno piloted post-time favorite Da Bros Cartel to his third-place finish. The son of Carters Cartel has lit the board 12 of 12 starts with five wins and $77,498 in the bank, including the Gary & Sherilyn Blattner Memorial last month and the Far West Futurity from his freshman campaign.

Da Bros Cartel was bred in Oregon by the Hayden Brothers Ranch, and his dam is Glitteratti by Stoli. Jose Rosales Gomez trains the gray gelding for owner Edwin Rosales.

Dr B, Nowhere Too Run, Cpr A American Eagle, Knocking It Off, L Bar D Darlyn, The Midnight Sky and Parveyor complete the field.