The fastest qualifier, Arbitro, is entered back in Thursday’s $46,376 John Deere Indianapolis Juvenile Challenge.

© Coady Media

BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI

SHELBYVILLE, IN--SEPTEMBER 17, 2024--Three Bank of America Challenge Championship berths will be decided Thursday at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Ten 2-year-olds, led by fastest qualifier Arbitro, are entered back in Thursday’s 350-yard, $46,376 John Deere Indianapolis Juvenile Challenge. A bay Ivory James colt trained by Claudio Barraza for owner Campos Family Ventures, Arbitro is coming off of a one-length win in the first of two trials on August 31.

Arbitro was a $40,000 purchase at last year’s Heritage Place Yearling Sale in Oklahoma City. The colt has won two of his three races and has earned $46,904, and his record includes a second-place finish, a head behind winner Caughtmeatagoodtime, in the July 20, $169,000 Heartland Futurity at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Arbitro drew post 8 and will be ridden by Edgar Diaz.

Also on Thursday, stablemates Relentlessly Special and HG Favorite Energy head a group of eight sophomores entered in the 400-yard, $37,774 Adequan Indianapolis Derby Challenge.

Both Relentlessly Special and HG Favorite Energy race for Lisa Cunningham from the barn of trainer Tony Cunningham, and they both finished in a dead heat for the win in the 350-yard, $34,000 Paul Martin Overnight Stakes on August 6.

A multiple stakes winning Hes Relentless gelding, Relentlessly Special was a $57,000 buy at the 2022 Heritage Place Yearling Sale. Relentlessly Special drew post 6 and will be ridden by Luz D. Martinez.

HG Favorite Energy is a gelded son of Favorite Cartel who won last year’s John Deere Indianapolis Juvenile Challenge. A $54,000 purchase at the ‘22 Heritage Place Yearling Sale, HG Favorite Energy drew post 8 and will be ridden by Francisco Quintero.

Thursday’s 400-yard, $28,050 Cox Ranch Indianapolis Distaff Challenge has drawn a field of seven fillies and mares.

Marisol Alvarado’s Glamazon will be making her first start since May 25, when the 5-year-old daughter of champion A Revenant ran fourth, 3 3/4 lengths behind winner Pevs Charley, in the 400-yard, $68,000 Boyd Morris Memorial Stakes (RG2) for Oklahoma-breds at Remington Park. The mare drew the rail post and will be ridden by Edgar Diaz for trainer Claudio Barraza.

All Horseshoe Indianapolis races can be seen at Q-Racing Video.com.