Racing


Danjer Explodes Late To Win Grade 1 Bank of America Challenge Championship Saturday Night at The Dow
Danjer, under jockey Cody Smith, winning the $251,775 Grade 1 Bank of America Challenge Championship Saturday night at The Downs at Albuquerque.

© Coady Photography
Danjer Explodes Late To Win Grade 1 Bank of America Challenge Championship Saturday Night at The Dow

ALBUQUERQUE, NM—OCTOBER 24, 2020—Multiple Grade 1 winner Danjer exploded late under jockey Cody Smith to run down Mi Amor Secreto by a head in the $251,775 Grade 1 Bank of America Challenge Championship Saturday night at The Downs at Albuquerque.

The son of world champion sire FDD Dynasty, racing for the partnership of Dean Frey, Downtime Enterprises LLC and Billy G. Smith, scored his 10th career win in 19 starts. The $115,817 winners' purse boosted the 4-year-old's earnings mark to $852,772.

Conditioned by breeder and trainer Dean Frey, Danjer has also won the Downs at Albuquerque Championship(G1) in his last start September 20th and the Bank of America Canterbury Park Championship Challenge Stakes(G3) in July. He was also a close second in the Grade 1 All American Gold Cup at Ruidoso Downs in September.

Bred from the Take Off Jess mare Shez Jess Toxic, Dajer has compiled a (19) 10-4-3 record. Tonight's win should earn him a starting spot in the $600,000 Champion of Championship(G1) at Los Alamitos Race Course December 12th.

AQHA President Butch Wise and AQHA Chief Racing Officer Janet VanBebber present co-owner Billy Smith and connections of Danjer the Bank of America Challenge Championship(G1) stakes trophies Saturday at The Downs at Albuquerque. © Coady Photography
Kelly Perez' homebred Mi Amor Secreto earned $50,355 for his second-place effort. Alfredo Sigla had the riding call aboard the son of champion sire The Louisiana Cartel for trainer Santos Carrizales, Jr. Bred in Texas, from the Feature Mr Jess mare Streakin In Secret, the multiple graded-winner has earned nearly $580,000.

Eagles Fly Higher, under jockey Mario Delgado, lead early and put in a game effort to pick-up $25,178 for third. Casey Black trains the son of leading sire One Famous Eagle for owner Darling Farms. Vh Harman and Robert Moudy II bred the $515,919 earner in Oklahoma from the First Down Dash mare Lone Bet. The multiple graded stakes winner was second to Danjer in the Downs at Albuquerque Championship(G1) in his last start.

Charlies Fury, Heza Blues Man, Walcott, Pirate Coves Hero, Stripsteak, Frog Nation and Jesstafiably Jess completed the field.