Jess a Runner scores $21 upset in Prairie Meadows Championship Challenge

ALTOONA, Iowa – Jess a Runner turned in the most impressive performance during Saturday night’s MBNA challenge races for Quarter Horses at Prairie Meadows when he closed with a rush on the outside to defeat Feature Jesss Rockin by a length in the Grade 2, $66,870 Prairie Meadows Championship Challenge.

.Jess a Runner ($21), who scored a 1 1/4-length victory in an optional claiming race at Canterbury on Aug. 1 in his most recent start, finished the 440 yards in 21.539 seconds. XO Kate, the even-money favorite, broke well but faded to eighth.

In the $33,030 Adequan Derby Challenge at 400 yards, 4-5 favorite Acorn, coming off a win in the Sam Houston Derby, won his third straight when he broke on top and held off the late run of Gallant Corona by three-quarters of a length.

In the $26,860 Merial Distaff Challenge at 400 yards, Believers Gathering ($41) defeated 3-1 favorite Sea Ola Go by a nose.

Shake Em Streakin ($12.20) won the $37,500 Iowa Stallion Derby by a neck.

The finals of the Challenge Championships will be held Nov. 20 at Fair Grounds in New Orleans.