GILLETTE, WY—JUNE 19, 2021—In his first start in nine months graded stakes winner Faster Than Hasta edged past Grey Handsome to win the $27,676 AQHA Energy Downs Distance Challenge by a head Saturday afternoon at Energy Downs 307 Horse Racing.

The Wyoming-bred son of Hasta Be Fast completed the 870 yards in :45.127 seconds, equaling a 105-speed index with a 4 mph tailwind. Jockey Brett Birzer rode the 7-year-old to his 11th career win for trainer Robert Don Johnson.

Racing for owner John G. Johnson, Faster Than Hasta has compiled a (34) 11-7-0 record and today's $13,285 winner's purse boosted his lifetime earning total to $238,377. Wardell Quarter Horse bred Faster Than Hasta form the Special Leader mare Leadmetoyouladder.

The win also earned the bay gelding a starting spot in the $100,000-est Cox Ranch Distance Challenge Championship(G1) to be contested October 23rd during Bank of America Challenge Championship night at Albuquerque Downs.

Coming off an allowance win at Energy Downs May 31st, Grey Handsome put in a game effort under jockey Jarred Journet to earn $5,674 for second. David W. Greene trains the son of champion Hez Our Secret for owner-breeder A.J. Renner. Bred in North Dakota, from the Free House(TB) mare Miss Free House (TB), Grey Handsome has earned $15,177.

Sw Bullet Proof, under jockey Josh Romero, was another neck back in the blanket finish to earn $2,768 for third. Third in last year's Cox Distance Challenge Championship(G1) the stakes-placed 5-year-old races for owner Jason Udy and is trained by Travis Lusk. Sherry Wingfield bred the 5-year-old son of Second Painted Sign in Oklahoma from the Jazzing Hi mare Jazzin Shabby Chic. He has earned $62,834.

Dance The Dust Off, Mahoney N Tacklebery, Jb Gray Dawn, Bds Kadences Wagon and Go Roller Coaster completed the field.