Grade 1-placed Curls Joyful Wagon posted the fastest qualifying time for the Cox Ranch Lone Star Distaff Challenge on Saturday at Lone Star Park.

© Ernesto Salinas, Jr. / StallioneSearch

GRAND PRAIRIE, TX–SEPTEMBER 7, 2024–Grade 1-placed Curls Joyful Wagon posted the fastest qualifying time from two trials contested tonight at Lone Star Park for the Cox Ranch Lone Star Distaff Challenge.

The 10 fastest qualifiers, from Challenge enrolled fillies and mares 3-year-olds and up,  will return to Lone Star Park on Saturday, September 28, to vie for the winner's share of a $20,000-added purse going a distance of 400 yards.

As a bonus, the winner on September 28 will also earn a win, and you're in spot in the $115,000-est. Cox Ranch Distaff Challenge Championship(G1) to be run on the AQHA Challenge Championship Night at The Downs at Albuquerque on Saturday, October 26.

Curls Joyful Wagon broke out under jockey Ali Rivera, then dueled to a neck win in the opening trial to set the top qualifying time of 19.788 seconds, a 98-speed index into a 12 mph crosswind.

Trainer John Stinebaugh saddled the 4-year-old daughter of leading sire Pyc Paint Your Wagon to her sixth career win for owner-breeder Martin Stacy. Bred in Oklahoma from the Spit Curl Jess mare Eye A Spit Curl Girl, Curls Joyful Wagon has banked over $318,500 in 20 career starts.

Donna Mushinski's homebred Dm Bella Star was a neck winner in the second trial, recording the third-fastest time of 19.884 seconds, a 90-speed index with an 11 mph tailwind.

Kie Mushinski trains the stakes-placed daughter of Coronas Leaving You from the Prime Talent mare Dm Bella Mia. The three-time winning Texas-bred has earned $42,252 in 12 starts.

CLICK HERE for a complete list of Cox Ranch Lone Star Distaff Challenge qualifiers, including times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers, and jockeys.

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About Lone Star Park
Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie is a major league sports entertainment attraction that features two exciting racing seasons annually. Over 700,000 guests visit our beautiful facility each year, which features a seven-level glass-enclosed Grandstand, highlighted by our 1,200-seat Silks Dining Room and 48 luxurious Penthouse Suites, all overlooking the newest race track in Texas. Situated next to our Grandstand is the 36,000-square-foot world-class Las Vegas-style racebook and simulcast facility, Bar & Book, which features wagering on horse racing from around the world seven days a week year.

The 2024 Fall Meeting of Champions, featuring American Quarter Horses, runs September 6 through November 16. Live racing on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Gates open at 5:00 p.m. (CT); the first post is at 6:05 p.m. Breeders' Cup Saturday, November 5. Gates open at 10:30 a.m., the first live race is at 6:05 p.m.