Challenge


Madewell Punches Ticket To Defend Distance Challenge Championship Title With Record Setting Effort
Madewell, under jockey Maria Baca, sets a new track record while winning the $56,194 AQHA/Downs at Albuquerque Distance Challenge Stakes(G3) on Saturday.

© Coady Photography
Madewell Punches Ticket To Defend Distance Challenge Championship Title With Record Setting Effort

ALBUQUERQUE, NM—SEPTEMBER 18, 2021—The 2020 AQHA Racing Distance Challenge Championship(G1) winner Madewell halted multiple graded winner Wascallywittlewabbit four-race win streak on Saturday with a 1-½ length win in the $56,194 AQHA/Downs at Albuquerque Distance Challenge Stakes(G3).

The two horses could face-off again in the $125,000-est. AQHA Distance Challenge Championship(G1) at The Downs in Albuquerque October 23rd on Bank of America Challenge Championship Night if Wascallywittlewabbit can pick-up an unused berth from another horse.

The winning connections of Madewell accept the AQHA Downs at Albuquerque Distance Challenge Stakes trophy on Saturday at The Downs. © Coady Photography
Under jockey Maria Baca, Madewell chased Wascallywittlewabbit early. Going three-wide off the turn the son of multiple stakes sire Jess Jones ran down the Grade 1 winner to win going away.

His :43.485 clocking was a new 870 yard course record for the New Mexico racetrack, equaling a 110 speed index. Tty From Mr Pye set the previous Downs' 870 record of :43.866 seconds on September 2, 2016.

Bernard Baca conditions the Oklahoma-homebred for owner-breeders Ray and Davy Madewell. The 7-year-old gelding, out of Streakin Peacock by A Streak Of Cash, was named AQHA Racing's Champion Distance Horse last year after winning his last four starts in 2020 that included the Grade 1 AQHA Distance Challenge Championship and Grade 2 Downs at Albuquerque Distance Challenge Stakes.

Madewell has compiled a (36) 11-9-7 record and today's $29,221 winners' purse boosted his lifetime mark to over $312,000.

Runner-up Wascallywittlewabbit paid the $20,000 late enrollment fee last month to become eligible to compete in AQHA Challenge races for the remainder of his career. The son of champion sire Heza Motor Scooter has won four of six starts this season for owner Rogers Farms including the Remington Park Distance Championship(G1), Pauls Valley Stakes(G2), and Zia 870 Championship at Ruidoso Downs.

Trainer Michael Joiner named Benito Baca to ride the 6-year-old New Mexico-bred gelding out of Rabbits N Diamonds by Rabbits Rainbow. Bred by Mike Weatherly, the bay gelding has won 10 of 21 career starts and earned $231,940.

Nicos First Card finished 8-½ lengths back to earn $6,462 for third. Jesus Carrete trains the First Prize Perry 5-year-old for owner Erica Carreon. Alejandro Medellin had the riding call on the multiple graded-placed Arizona bred out of Cartel Moon by Royal Cartel. Fernando Canales bred the $108,570 earner.

Hez Fabulous and Edelman completed the field. Grey Handsome was scratched.

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Albuquerque Downs Racetrack and Casino is located in the heart of Albuquerque at Expo New Mexico, the home of the New Mexico State Fair, and general admission and parking are always free (via the casino entrance on Louisiana and Central). For more information, visit abqdowns.com and click on the "Racing" link at the top of the homepage.