JESS A RUNNER UPSETS BANK OF AMERICA PRAIRIE MEADOWS CHALLENGE

Altoona, IA - August 28, 2010 - Jess A Runner, Acorn and Believers Gathering each earned a starting spot in the Bank of America Challenge Championships after three regional Challenge races were contested at Prairie Meadows on Saturday evening. Three regional Challenge races were also held at the Iowa track on Friday night.

In the richest race of the night, JK Running Horses LLC’s Jess A Runner drew clear to a one-length win in the $66,870 Bank of America Prairie Meadows Championship Challenge (G2). The 4-year-old Kansas-bred gelding by Jess Louisiana Blue, who was sent off at 9-1, sprinted 440 yards in :21.539 with G.R. Carter Jr. up for trainer Jose Ibarra.

This marked the first stakes win for Jess A Runner, who now has five wins from 14 starts with earnings of $76,400. Prior to this win, his best stakes effort was a third in the $17,600 Great Lakes Stakes at Canterbury Park. Bred by Paul Newmaster, the gelding is the second stakes winner out of the My Designated Driver mare Katiebug Driver.

Reed Land & Cattle Co. LLC’s Feature Jess Rockin, a mare by Feature Mr Jess, rallied to take second with Cruzin To Victory in third for owner Kirk Wessels. Grade 3 winner XO Kate, the even-money favorite, faded to eighth.

The $33,030 Adequan Prairie Meadows Derby Challenge went to Rose Mary Chandler’s homebred Acorn, who led from wire to wire and prevailed by three-parts of a length as the 9-10 favorite. Alfonso Lujan rode the Texas-bred gelding by Oak Tree Special for trainer Janet VanBebber and posted a :19.756 clocking at 400 yards.

After a solid 2-year-old campaign that included three wins, a stakes-placing and a qualifying effort for the Sam Houston Futurity (G1), Acorn has stepped up his game as a 3-year-old and is undefeated in his three outings this year. His first two wins comprised a trial and the final of the Sam Houston Derby (G2). All told, Acorn has won six of 10 starts with earnings of $100,768.

Gallant Corona, a two-time stakes winner for owner Ignacio Soto, took second, and Hollywood Trickster closed to get third for owner Christine Hovey.

The $27,270 Merial Prairie Meadows Distaff Challenge featured a big upset as Believers Gathering, the longest shot in the field at 19-1, prevailed by a head in :19.899 for 400 yards. Orlando Baldillez rode for trainer Charlton Hunt and breeder/owner Walter Fletcher.

Believers Gathering needed 10 tries to break her maiden but has since picked up five more wins, including last year’s Iowa Double Gold Derby (RG3) at Prairie Meadows. The 4-year-old mare by Agouti has a career record of 23-6-2-4 with earnings of $85,056. Believers Gathering is out of three-time graded stakes winner None As Easy, also a Fletcher homebred.

Sea Ola Go, the tepid 3-1 favorite, finished second for owner Alonso Orozco, and Nancy McCoy’s Send Me A Perry crossed the wire third.
 

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