Jd Heza Paintedeagle Scores Third Straight in $102,000 Cherokee Overnight Stakes

Jd Heza Paintedeagle extended his winning streak to three with a late-running victory in the $102,000 Cherokee Overnight Stakes on Sunday at Sandy Ridge Racing.

Ridden by Gonzalo Gutierrez for trainer Fernando Lopez, Jd Heza Paintedeagle broke third from the inside and battled his way forward before getting up late to defeat Nadir by a head. The 4-year-old gelding covered 440 yards in :21.399, earning a 92 speed index.

Owned by B Family Ventures, Jd Heza Paintedeagle was bred in Oklahoma by JD IV Farms LLC and is a $23,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate. The son of champion sire One Famous Eagle is out of the stakes-placed Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Jess A Painted Wagon. His female family includes champion Jess Good Candy ($2,014,703).

With three consecutive victories, Jd Heza Paintedeagle improved his career record to 23-6-2-7 with earnings of $167,060. Earlier this season, he finished third in the Miss Polly Classic Stakes (G3).

Nadir narrowly missed the victory, finishing a head back in second under Francisco Quintero for owner Alexandra Tavares and trainer Jason Pascoe. The 4-year-old gelding was bred by MRB Racing LLC and was purchased for $20,000 at the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale before selling again for $16,200 at the Heritage Place Fall Mixed Sale.

Sired by Running Buddy and out of the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Paint On Canvas, Nadir is a half-brother to stakes winners First Lady On Canvas ($192,783), winner of the New Mexico Classic Futurity (RG2), and Grafity ($75,210), winner of the Mountain Top Juvenile. His female family also includes two-time champion Kvn Corona ($866,077).

Still in search of his first stakes victory, Nadir now has a record of 20-4-7-1 with $51,018 in earnings. He was a finalist in last year's Norman Picov Derby.

One Valiant Dude finished another head back in third under Jimmy Brooks for owner Ryan Robertson and trainer Tyler Crawford. Bred by RH Resources, the 4-year-old colt is by Valiant Hero and out of the Splash Bac mare Heavenly Trip. He has compiled a record of 14-2-3-5 with earnings of $83,819.

Kadillaking finished fourth, followed by This Is the One and Apollitical Joy, who dead-heated for fifth. Apolitical Wagon, Socially Fun and Whata Lota Boy completed the field.