Albuquerque Downs will again play host to the AQHA Racing Challenge Championship Night on Saturday.

© Coady Media

By Stallionesearch / Louanne Wainscott

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–OCTOBER 16, 2025—All eyes in the Quarter Horse racing world will be on Albuquerque Downs this weekend, as the track hosts one of the most prestigious events on the calendar: Championship Night, headlined by the $265,000 Grade 1 AQHA Racing Challenge Championship. A star-studded ten-race card is on tap, with qualifiers and stakes winners from across the nation descending upon the New Mexico oval for a shot at glory.

Qualifiers have battled through regional Challenge events all year to earn their spots in these elite finals. The stakes are high, the fields are deep, and the sport’s top equine and human athletes are ready for the spotlight.

The highlight of the evening is the G1 AQHA Racing Challenge Championship, featuring nine top older runners, each aiming to make their mark over the classic 440-yard distance. Race 10: $265,000 AQHA Racing Challenge Championship (G1) scheduled for 440 yards with post time around 9:50 PM

Headlining the field is the morning line favorite, Scoops Dynasty (9-5), a six-year-old California shipper with impressive recent form. The son of Fdd Dynasty, out of Bye Sweet Girl by Dashin Bye, enters off consecutive graded stakes victories: the $75,000 Go Man Go Stakes (G1) and the $53,000 Turf Paradise Championship Challenge in April.

Trained by Diego Cervantes and owned by Edward J. McNelis, Scoops Dynasty brings a résumé with 10 wins from 29 starts and $675,261 in earnings. He breaks from post eight under Jacob Enriquez.

Breathing down his neck at 5-2, the consistently talented Hooked N Gone is trained by Dean R. Frey and owned by Regina Laymon. This five-year-old gelding has had a strong season, claiming victories in prestigious races such as the $250,000 Debbie Schauf Remington Park Invitational Championship (G1) and the $55,000 Prairie Meadows Championship Stakes (G2).

With impressive earnings of $762,443 from 28 starts, he is undoubtedly a horse to watch in the race. Jockey Jesus R. Ayala will have him positioned in post one from the rail, ready to make a strong run for the finish line.

With multiple graded stakes winners lining up, including past Challenge finalists and seasoned veterans, the race promises to deliver a dramatic finale to an already loaded evening.

Before the feature, Championship Night offers a full slate of top-tier stakes action with five graded stakes carrying substantial purses:

• Race 6: Q-Racing Video Distance Challenge (G1), $115,000
  • Top Contender: #3 O Donovan Rossa (3-1)
• Race 7: Cox Ranch Distaff Challenge Championship (G1), $115,000
  • Top Contender: #9 Alliekat Dynasty (5-2)
• Race 8: John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship (G2), $140,000
  • Top Contender: #2 Trident Iot (5-2)
• Race 9: Adequan Derby Challenge Championship (G3), $165,000
  • Top Contender: #6 Invasive (5-2)
• Race 10: AQHA Racing Challenge Championship (G1), $265,000
  • Favorite: #8 Scoops Dynasty (9-5)

The first post is scheduled for 6:05 PM, and the energy is expected to build throughout the evening as racing fans and bettors anticipate the climactic showdown in Race 10. With future champions and seasoned veterans vying for the spotlight, Albuquerque Downs will be the epicenter of Quarter Horse racing this weekend.

The road to Championship Night has been long and competitive. These finalists have earned their way here, and now, under the lights, they will run for the glory, the history, and a place in AQHA’s storied legacy.

The Albuquerque Downs races can be watched on Q-Racing Video.

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