AQHA Challenge Races

Ruidoso Downs, NM—One Perfect Lady and jockey Felipe Garcia-Luna drew clear of a crowded field coming out of the starting gate to win the $86,862 Grade III John Deere Juvenile at Ruidoso Downs Race Track on Saturday.

The traffic jam came early and took favored Jess Good Wine immediately out of contention. Stewards ruled that R Ladys Dynasty, a filly that finished second across the finish line, caused interference and was disqualified and placed ninth. One Perfect Lady is owned by La Faliz Montana Ranch and trained by Xavier Rodriguez. The filly is sired by Bogart out of the mare The Perfect Lady by One Famous Eagle. She paid $12.40, $6.60 and $4.00 in a running time of 17.449 seconds for 350-yards. It was a fourth win in six season starts this summer at Ruidoso Downs.

In the $58,521 Ruidoso Downs Adequan Derby Challenge, heavily-favored B Leaving and jockey Justine Klaiber came home a winner by a head over Ls Jacks Back in a running time of 19.784 seconds for 400-yards. B Leaving is sired by Valiant Hero out of the mare Jess B Mighty by Mr Jess Perry. The gelding has finished first-or-second in all 11 career starts for owner Jay Wilson and trainer Eddie Willis. B Leaving paid $3.60, $2.40 and $2.20.

The $35,624 Q Racing Video Distaff Challenge was won by even-money favorite Valiant Stars and jockey Noe Garcia Jr in a winning time of 19.666 seconds for 400-yards. Valiant Stars, a four-year-old mare, won for the third time this season at Ruidoso Downs in as many attempts.

Valiant Stars is sired by Valiant Hero out of the mare Cluster of Stars by Greeley’s Galaxy. The mare paid $4.00, $2.60 and $2.10 and topped over $300,000 in earnings for owners J and SM Inc. (Sue May) and Stone Chase Stables and trainer Fred Danley.