Souixper Charger, Prather get first stakes wins in Arkansas Breeders’ Championship
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Souixper Charger and trainer John Henry Prather Jr. each reached a milestone Saturday in the $200,000 Arkansas Breeders’ Championship at Oaklawn Park.
It was the first career stakes win for both individuals.
The Arkansas Breeders’ Championship was for 3-year-olds and up over 1 1/16 miles, and it’s the richest race restricted to horses bred in Arkansas.
Souixper Charger ($14) moved into a three-way battle for the lead after an opening quarter-mile in 23.73 seconds and continued on through a half-mile in 47.43 and six furlongs in 1:11.49. The eventual winner went on to cover the distance on a fast track in 1:44.09.
Luis Quinonez was aboard for Prather, who long has been a staple at Oaklawn. He won his first race at the track on March 19, 2000, according to Daily Racing Form records.
Souixper Charger won by three lengths over Bandit Point. It was another 1 1/2 lengths back in third to Man in the Can.
Souixper Charger is a son of Portobello Road who races for J & J Thoroughbreds. He has now won 6 of 24 starts, and the first-place check of $120,000 on Saturday pushed his earnings to $329,218.
The Arkansas Breeders’ Championship was the final stakes race of the meet. The season closes Sunday with the popular Trail’s End, a starter allowance over 1 3/4 miles that drew a full field of 14. The Budweiser Clydesdales are scheduled to appear again Sunday, after making the rounds Saturday.