Ridden by jockey Jacob Enriquez, Runaway Witch (#7) posted the fastest qualifying time for the $60,000-added Adequan Arizona Downs Derby Challenge on Saturday at Arizona Downs.

© Coady Photography

PRESCOTT VALLEY, AZ–JUNE 25, 2022–Graded stakes winner Runaway Witch posted the fastest qualifying time Saturday for the Adequan Arizona Downs Derby Challenge.

The 10 fastest qualifiers, from two trials contested today, will return to Arizona Downs Saturday, July 16th to vie for the winner' share of a $60,000-added purse going 400 yards.

The winner will also earn a starting spot in the Grade 3 $150,000-est. Adequan Derby Challenge Championship to be contested October 22nd at Horseshoe Indianapolis during the Bank of American Challenge Championships.

Ridden by jockey Jacob Enriquez, Runaway Witch defeated Cartel Courage by a head in the second trial to post the fastest time of :19.860 seconds, a 90 speed index into a 14 mph headwind.

Armando Alamos sent out the daughter of Sir Runaway Dash for owner LG Racing LLC. Bred in Texas by Tyler Graham and Robert Touchet, Runaway Witch entered the trials off a second-place effort in the Animas Stakes at SunRay Park May 28.

Winner of the Bitterroot Futurity(G3) at 2, Runaway Witch has earned $136,047 in 13 career starts. She is out of the Game Patriot mare Im A Lil Witch.

Cartels Courage, winner of the Ferrari Racing Stables Rillito Derby in his last start, held on to the second fastest time of :19.880 seconds, a 98 speed index. Jesus J Carrete trains the stakes winning son of Coronado Cartel for owner Hector O'Campo.  Flagg Ranch LLC bred the $81,749 earner in Oklahoma from the Captain Courage mare Tinys Courage. Agustin Silva was up.

Itsjustamatteroftime was a nose winner in the opening trial to get the third fastest clocking of :19.926 seconds, a 97 speed index into a 12 mph headwind. Orlando Guerrero conditions the son of Grade 1 winner Big Lew for owner Juvencio Canales.

Reliance Ranches LLC bred Itsjustamatteroftime in Oklahoma from the Feature Mr Jess mare Spoiled Jess. He has earned $21,469.

For a list of qualifiers to the Adequan Arizona Downs Derby Challenge with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

Trainers Armando Alamos, Havid Canez and Lin Melton got two qualifiers each into the July 16 final.