Joezoom wins $143,250 Valley Junction Futurity

ALTOONA, Iowa – Trainer Glen Atkison capped off his Prairie Meadows Quarter Horse meet with a hat trick, including a win with Joezoom in the $143,250 Valley Junction Futurity.

Joezoom ($21.40), the second fastest qualifier in the race broke quickly under Jarrod Deschamp, and stayed straight and and strong to prevail over nine others by a convincing length and a quarter. The final time of 17.49 for 350 yards was earned him a 100 speed index.

Atkison also won a starter allowance and a claiming race on the card.

* In the $68,600 Altoona Derby at 400 yards, Chi Ter ($8.80) put in a determined effort to defeat a field of nine by three-quarters of a length. Chi Ter entered the race as the second fastest qualifier behind the favored A Sweet Gamble. After a mediocre break, Chi Ter accelerated past early leaders Southern Star Lvc and Hollie Jollie in the final yards of the race.

He completed the 400 yards in a stakes-record 19.58 under jockey William Ives and earned a 102 speed index.

* In the $45,000 Two Rivers at 440 yards, Jess a Runner ($7.20) prevailed over an 11-horse field with a track-record-setting effort. Jess a Runner came into the race off a length victory in the Prairie Meadows Championship Challenge on Aug. 28.

Jess a Runner was slow to get moving under jockey Oscar Delgado and found himself a length behind the quick breaking Mbn Finest Hour. He finished with a late surge on the outside of the track, outkicking 2-1 favorite Gallant Ways to prevail by three-quarters of a length in 21.199. He earned a 108 speed index for the effort.
Jess a Runner will next try the Challenge Championship at the Fair Grounds on Nov. 20.