Shakers No Secret holds off Nothin Like You to take American Quarter Horse Association Challenge Championship

Shakers No Secret fought for a neck win over Nothin Like You to capture the Grade 1, $277,975 American Quarter Horse Association Challenge Championship on Saturday night at the Downs at Albuquerque.

It was another 1 1/4 lengths back in third to A Tres of Eagle.

The Challenge Championship was a 440-yard race for 3-year-olds and up and the richest of five graded stakes making up the Challenge Championships. The traveling series was showcased on a 10-race card made up exclusively of stakes races. Purses for the Challenge Championship races totaled more than $800,000.

Shakers No Secret ($6.20), who was one of just two horses in the field with a win at Albuquerque, covered the distance on a fast track in 21.04 seconds. Noe Garcia Jr. was aboard the son of Five Bar Cartel.

Shakers No Secret races for the partnership of Abel Lopez, Ethan Lopez and Manny Dutchover. The horse is trained by Marc Jungers.

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A Tres of Eagle had won last year’s Challenge Championship at Lone Star Park.

Distaff Championship

Streaks of Power broke on top and never looked back for a half-length win over Paint Your Lips P in the Grade 1, $120,975 Distaff Challenge Championship. It was another neck back in third to Lynnder 16.

Streaks of Power covered 400 yards in 19.36 seconds. Armando Cervantes was aboard the daughter of Power Jam for Robert Tyburski and trainer Monty Arrossa.

*** In the Grade 1, $118,975 Distance Challenge Championship at 870 yards, Volcoms Favorite ($6) delivered as the favorite with a neck win over KJ Leader of the Pack. The winner covered the distance on a fast track in 44.59 seconds. Irwin Rosendo was aboard Volcoms Favorite, a son of Jess Good Candy owned by Nove Racing and trained by James J. Gonzales III.

*** Arbitro ($10.60) wired the field for a three-quarter-length victory over Bottle It Up in the Grade 2, $144,100 Juvenile Challenge Championship. The start came over 350 yards, and the winner covered the distance in 17.34 seconds. James Flores was aboard Arbitro, who was winning the fourth race of his young career. Claudio Barraza trains the son of Ivory James for Campos Family Ventures.

*** Frankie Jr. ($18.80) took the lead soon after the start for a neck victory over Mystic Paint in the Grade 3, $167,225 Derby Challenge Championship. Nestor Duran was aboard the son of Kas Tempting for Ivan Rivera and trainer Lee Gutierrez. Frankie Jr. covered 400 yards in 19.35 seconds.

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