Danjer runs away with second consecutive Challenge Championship
Quarter Horse champion Danjer broke on top and never looked back to win the Grade 1, $266,250 Challenge Championship for the second year in a row Saturday night at the Downs at Albuquerque.
Danjer ($4.40) was a two-length winner over Mi Amor Secreto. It was another nose back in third to Perrys Double Down.
The race was for 3-year-olds and up over 440 yards, and it was the richest of five divisional stakes making up the Challenge Championships. The traveling series is for Quarter Horses.
Danjer was crowned champion older horse of 2020 by the American Quarter Horse Association for a season that was highlighted by his victory in last year’s Challenge Championship. In this year’s running, the 5-year-old broke like a shot and with every stride separated himself from his rivals. He covered the distance on a fast track in a quick 20.73 seconds.
It was the third Grade 1 win on the year for Danjer, who also captured the All American Gold Cup at Ruidoso Downs in September and the Remington Park Invitational in May.
Cody Smith was aboard Danjer on Saturday for Dean Frey, who bred, co-owns and trains the horse. Frey’s partners are Downtime Enterprises and Billy Smith. Danjer has now won 14 of 25 career starts. The first-place check of $122,475 pushed his earnings past $1.3 million.
In other races, Pattys Saint ($13.20) improved her 2021 record to 6 for 7 on Saturday in the Grade 1, $106,500 Distaff Challenge Championship for fillies and mares. Lynnder 16, who was going for her fifth straight win, finished fourth in the race. Pattys Saint was a 1 1/2-length winner while covering 400 yards in 19.15 seconds.
* Wascallywittlewabbit ($7.60) led throughout to win the Grade 1, $104,500 Distance Challenge Championship by 2 3/4 lengths over champion and favorite Madewell. The winner covered 870 yards in 44.50 seconds. Wascallywittlewabbit paid $7.60.
* Jc Wild King ($19.20) was a 1 1/4-length winner over Bad Monkey in the Grade 3, $154,750 Derby Challenge Championship. Last year, Bad Monkey won the Juvenile Challenge Championship over Jc Wild King. Jc Wild King on Saturday covered 400 yards in 19.20 seconds and returned $7.
* Apolinaria Prize ($19.60) won the Grade 2, $130,000 Juvenile Challenge Championship in a blanket finish, scoring by a neck over Lil Longmire. It was a nose back in third to Scoops Dynasty. Overall, a length separated the first five finishers in the race. Apolinaria Prize covered 350 yards in 17.29 seconds.