Radar (#9), under jockey Oscar Villa, set the fastest time for the AQHA Grants Pass Championship Challenge on Sunday.

© Vince & Linda Williams

GRANTS PASS, OR–SEPTEMBER 8, 2024–Radar, a 5-year-old stakes-winning son of leading sire A Revenant, posted the fastest qualifying time for the AQHA Grants Pass Championship Challenge on Sunday when he won the last of two trials at Grants Pass Downs.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will return to Oregon racetrack on Sunday, September 22, to vie for the winner's share of a $40,000-added purse going the classic Quarter Horse distance of 440 yards.

A victory in the race will also earn the winner a berth into the $265,000-est. Grade 1 AQHA Challenge Championship to be contested at The Downs in Albuquerque on October 26.

With a strong surge under jockey Oscar Villa, Radar got his nose in front in a blanket finish, with stakes winners Jesstafiably Jess second and The Prize Ferarri third. The brown gelding completed the 440 yards in 21.402 to earn a 99-speed index while posting the fastest trial time.

Martin Vega trains Radar for owner Vincente Treyes. Lee Rodgers and Raymond McGee bred the five-time winner in Idaho from the Snowbound (TB) mare Snow In My Corona.  Winner of the Crush The Curve Futurity at 2, Radar has earned $40,658.

Runner-up Jesstafiably Jess held on to the second fastest time of 21.416, also a 99 speed index. Benito Curiel trains the multiple stakes winning son of One Sweet Jess for owner-breeder Malon L. Cowgill.

The 8-year-old Washington bred gelding entered the trials off a win in the AQHA $54,708 Emerald Downs Challenge Championship at Emerald Downs on August 18.  Jaime Lopez had the riding call aboard the $108,463 earners from the Strawfly Special mare Fly Thru Time.

CLICK HERE for a complete list of AQHA Grants Pass Championship Challenge qualifiers with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers, and jockeys.