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Big Lew Love Gets First Career Stakes Victory In Lip Chip Will Rogers Distance Challenge
Big Lew Love (#1), under jockey Mario Delgado, won the Grade 3 $28,424 Lip Chip Will Rogers Distance Challenge at Will Rogers Downs on Sunday.

© Coady Photography
Big Lew Love Gets First Career Stakes Victory In Lip Chip Will Rogers Distance Challenge

CLAREMORE, OK–SEPTEMBER 29, 2024–Big Lew Love raced to his first career stakes victory Sunday when he went wire-to-wire in the $28,424 Grade 3 Lip Chip Will Rogers Distance Challenge at Will Rogers Downs.

Jockey Mario Delgado quickly guided Big Lew Love to lead from the inside rail, then dueled down the stretch with runner-up Fi Rizzo. The winning margin was a neck after recording 45.532 seconds, a 99-speed index over the 870 yards into a 12 mph crosswind.

Trainer Eddie D. Willis saddled the 4-year-old Big Lew colt to his fourth win in 20 starts for owner-breeder Reliance Ranches, LLC. Bred from the multiple graded stakes producing First Down Dash mare Lotta Love For Robyn, Big Lew Love earned $13,928 to increase his bankroll to $85,716.

The winning connections of Big Lew Love accept the Lip Chip Will Rogers Distance Challenge stakes trophy at Will Rogers Downs. © Coady Photography

Winning this race also earns Big Lew Love a starting spot in the $115,000-est. Lip Chip Distance Challenge Championship(G1) is to be run on the AQHA Challenge Championship Night at The Downs at Albuquerque on Saturday, October 26.

Runner-up Fl Rizzo, a Washington-bred son of champion Kvn Corona, earned $5,969 for this second-place effort. Trainer Matt Whitekiller named jockey Salvador Martinez to ride the 4-year-old for owner-breeders Lindley and Julia Myers. The lightly raced gelding from the Fly Jess Fly mare Fly Reba Fly has won three of eight career starts. He has earned $41,954.

Rock Ya Later chased the two leaders to finish third, earning $2,984. Ali Rivera had the riding call for trainer Tammy Johnson aboard the multiple stakes-placed Rock Solid Jess 4-year-old  Rockin J Running Horses owns the gelding. Melissa Slayton bred Rock Ya Later in Texas from the Separatist mare Dosvedanya.

Post-time favorite O Donovan was fourth, followed by Jess Rite, Empowered, and Markus Aurelius.