TIME FOR A CIGAR UPSETS BANK OF AMERICA TURF PARADISE CHALLENGE

Phoenix, AZ - October 17, 2010 - Turf Paradise played host to three Bank of America Racing Challenge stakes on Sunday afternoon. Each of the winners from the Bank of America Turf Paradise Championship Challenge (G3), John Deere Turf Paradise Juvenile Challenge and Red Cell Turf Paradise Distance Challenge earned a berth to compete on November 19 during the Bank of America Challenge Championships at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans.

Time For A Cigar Halts Rylees Boy's Win Streak

Double Eagle Ranch Inc. and Buena Suerte Equine's Time For A Cigar returned to the winner's circle after turning the tables on Rylees Boy in the $76,050 Bank of America Turf Paradise Challenge Championship (G3).

Riding a four-race win streak, 2-5 favorite Rylees Boy had already punched his ticket to New Orleans by winning the Bank of America Sunland Park Challenge Championship (G1) on April 11.

Time For A Cigar, who was winless in two starts this season, covered the 440 yards in a quick :21.251 seconds to draw clear by 1 ½ lengths and earn a 108 speed index at odds of 5-1. He was second to Rylees Boy in the trials. Today's earnings of $36,504 pushed his career bankroll to more than $357,000.

The winner of last season's Grade 1 Ruidoso Derby is trained by Tony Sedillo and was ridden by Cody Jensen. Abigail Kawananakoa bred the bay gelding by Corona Cartel out of the Timeto Thinkrich mare Time For A Goddess.

“It was a beautiful finish and a lot better start than the trials,” said Jensen. "I think trading the one hole for the eight hole helped a ton. I'd love to ride him in the Bank of America Challenge Championships."

Losing for the first time in five starts this season, Rylees Boy earned $15,590 and moved his earnings to $286,713. The Heza Motor Scooter gelding is owned and trained by Gerardo Ochoa-Pena. Joe Ruiz was aboard.

Rylees Boy finished last season with a third-place effort in the $350,000 Bank of America Challenge Championship (G1) to Fighter On Fire and Little Bit Of Baja and a second-place effort in the $350,0000 Championship at Sunland Park (G1) to AQHA Champion Aged Stallion First Moonflash. The game performer, who has won or placed in 22 of 28 starts, will be looking for revenge in the November 19 Bank of America Challenge Championship in New Orleans.

Victor and Rivera Ramos' Oh So Chilly settled for third, a half-length back. Saddled by Roy Ronquillo and ridden by Elias Gutierrez, the Tres Seis 4-year-old earned $7,605.

Completing the field were First N Wild, Hez The Don, Whata Eye Opener, Feature Real and Concrete Charlie.

Hawkinsign Easy Winner in John Deere Juvenile Challenge

Gary and Jeralyn Messenger's Hawkinsign bounced back from a third-place effort in the John Deere trials on October 3 to win the $33,840 final by 1 ½ lengths. It was the third stakes victory this season for the Hawkinson gelding.

Saddled by Bret Vickery and ridden by Paul Greene, Hawkinsign broke on top then inched away from his rivals and was driving at the wire. He completed the 350 yards in :17.632.

"This horse was a little green early, but after a few starts he is really starting to get the hang of this,” said Vickery. “My other horse (Big Time Dunk) has been a very honest and consistent horse. He never makes mistakes."

The winner of the Idaho Cup Futurity (R) and the Intermountain Futurity picked up $15,509 for Sunday's victory and pushed his earnings mark to over $46,000.

Fastest qualifier Downtown Richard veered out at the start and was disqualified to eighth after finishing second in the race.

Big Time Dunk, by first crop sire Bigtime Favorite, was moved to second and picked up $6,768 for owners Dee and Gary Hoovestal. Also trained by Vickery, Big Time Dunk was ridden by Dirk Crane.

Jerry Windham's Texas Icon was moved to the show position. Trained by Raul Hernandez and ridden by Jose Alvarez, the Corona Cartel colt earned $3,384.

Completing the field were AR Firestorm, Dashs Kool. The Little Mermaid, Miss Sonora Cartel, Downtown Richard and What I Want. Jess Class was scratched.

Bad Act Goes Wire-to-Wire in Red Cell Distance Challenge

Picking up his first win this year, seasoned runner Bad Act took the lead early then drew out to a 5 ¾-length win in the $23,130 Red Cell Turf Paradise Distance Challenge.

The This Snow Is Royal 8-year-old earned $11,565 to push his earnings to nearly $245,000. It was his 16th victory and moved his record to 16-21-7 in 67 career starts. Under jockey J.C. Estrada, the Hector Jaime Hernandez trainee completed the 870 yards in :45.196, a 101 speed index.

Hemerio Hernandez owns Bad Act, who was bred by Lucky Seven Ranch from the First Down Dash mare Oh Dashaway.

"He's just a warrior; he gives his all every time,” said the winning owner. “He's 8 years old and has run in the last four Challenge races. He's been chasing Gone To The Mountain and Snowbound Superstar. We claimed him for $5,000 and look what he's accomplished. We are so proud of this horse."

LFR Simply The Best, owned and trained by Merritt Pride, was second earning $4,973. The Jeff Jerman ridden 4-year-old is by Heza Fast Man.

W. Neil Biggs’ Mountain Man was 1 ¼ lengths back in the third. J.J. Gonzalez Jr. saddled the Panther Mountain 4-year-old ridden by Ry Eikleberry. He picked up $2,544 for the effort.

Completing the field were Dashalongeasy Geisha, Just Takin Your Cash and Iona Corona. Shazoom Rascal was scratched.
 

HOME - subscribe to SureBet Racing News Weekly - FREE