Bh Lisas Boy by a nose in Bank of America California Regional Challenge

Bh Lisas Boy, second by a nose in the Vessels Maturity on July 8, prevailed by a nose in Saturday’s $49,680 Bank of America California Regional Challenge at Los Alamitos, a qualifying race for the $350,000 final at the same track on Nov. 17.

Bh Lisas Boy ($5.80) won narrowly over 6-5 favorite Hold Air Hostage, the champion 3-year-old Quarter Horse of 2017. Hold Air Hostage led by a length midway through the 440-yard race but could not hold off Bh Lisas Boy, who was timed in 21.48 seconds.

Katies Easy Moves (7-1) finished third in the field of eight.

The California Regional Challenge was the first start at Los Alamitos for Hold Air Hostage, who was second in the Remington Park Championship on June 2. Last year, Hold Air Hostage won the Heritage Place, Rainbow, and All American derbies to secure the 3-year-old title. He had raced primarily in Oklahoma and New Mexico before this summer.

Bh Lisas Boys, trained by owner and breeder Bill Hoburg, has won 19 of 33 starts and earned $582,662. A 6-year-old Idaho-bred gelding, Bh Lisas Boy won the Brad McKinzie Los Alamitos Winter Championship in February.

Bh Lisas Boy earned a berth in the $600,000 Champion of Champions at Los Alamitos on Dec. 15 for winning the Winter Championship. The winner of the Bank of America Challenge Championship will also gain a berth in the Champion of Champions.