Team Rip 109, ridden by O. Hernandez, wins the $49,367 (US) John Deere Juvenile Challenge finals at Century Mile on Saturday.

© Ryan Haynes/Coady Photography, Ltd.

EDMONTON, ALB–JULY 27, 2024—Team Rip 109, the fastest qualifier from the trials, returns for his second career win in the $49,367 (US) John Deere Juvenile Challenge finals at Century Mile on Saturday.

Team Rip 109 was ridden by O. Hernandez to his 3/4-length finish in :17.953 seconds, clocking a 95 speed index. The post-time favorite's 350-yard victory was assisted by a 15 mph tailwind and paid $3.20 to win on 3-5 odds.

The $22,710 winner's share of the purse boosted the son of Pyc Fun N Fancy's earnings to $26,214. Buckey and Beverly Stockwell bred Team Rip 109 in Alberta out of the Favorite Cartel mare, See Me Do It Too. WT Ranches, Ltd bought the chestnut gelding for $17,500 in the 2023 AQHRA Yearling Mixed Sale and own him in partnership with Commotion Creek Contracting.

WT Ranches, Ltd. and Commotion Creek Contracting also own runner-up First Famous Prize, who was ridden by Ramiro Castillo. The daughter of One Famous Eagle was initially sold in the 2023 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale for $32,000, and her current owners paid $20,000 in this year's Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale.

First Famous Prize has yet to break her maiden, but she has three seconds from four starts and $13,011 in the bank. She was a finalist in the Pocatello Downs Spring Classic Futurity. Weetona Stanley bred her in Texas out of Fancy First Prize by Desirio.

Third-place finisher Hold On Boss, piloted by Alexis Sanchez, has a record of 1-1-1 from four starts and $11,579 in earnings. Breeder Delton Gehring sold the daughter of Jd Wagon Boss to owners Jordon Green and Chantel Trenholm for $9,000 in last year's AQHRA Yearling Mixed Sale. The Alberta-bred filly is out of Miss Dashing Van by Western Dash.

Buckey Stockwell saddled five of the ten finalists, including the top four. Sizzles Boss, ridden by D. Benitez, placed fourth. The son of Jd Wagon Boss has two wins from four starts and $23,205 in earnings for owner Cinch Up Syndicate. K Gelnn Wills bred the brown gelding out of Northfork Sizzle by Sizzlin Red Corona in Alberta.

O La Dee Da, Fresno Flyer, Pegaso Cartel, Inseperable Cruise, and First Gold Dash complete the order of finish.