Page 24 - 23 November 2012

Bank of America Challenge Championship-G1
RyleeS Boy
California-based trainer Paul Jones made his initial trip to Prairie Meadows a memorable one. Saddling his first runners at
the Altoona, Iowa track, the industry’s leading conditioner promptly paid a visit to the winner’s circle following Rylees Boy’s thrilling victory
in the $353,500 Bank of America Challenge Championship-G1, the marquee event on
the $1.1 million Bank of America AQHA Challenge Championship night on Oct. 27.
“We’ve had a wonderful experience here this week,” said Jones. “I can’t say enough about track management and how we’ve all been treated. To win the first time we’ve ever run here caps it off perfectly. I’m sure we will back.”
A seasoned and accomplished 7-year-old gelding bred in Arizona by Gary Nesbitt, Rylees Boy, making only his second start
for Jones, notched the 20th victory of his stellar career with a fast-closing score in
the Challenge Championship. Victory had eluded Rylees Boy in the prestigious race. He finished third in the 2009 renewal won by Fighter On Fire at Los Alamitos, was second in the 2010 edition to Feature Jess Rockin at Fair Grounds and was runner-up once again last year to the Paul Jones-trained Favorite Cartel at Los Alamitos.
Fourth time was the charm for Rylees Boy who earned the headlines this time around with a dramatic late charge. Race favorite Llano Teller, who toted a bankroll of more than $1.6
a step slow that night, a horse came over on him and they threw a lot of dirt in his face. I was concerned that he didn’t get enough out of that race to really set him up for this. He shipped in for this race great, was never off his
feed and I am very pleased with the result.”
The victory, which earned Rylees Boy
an invitation to the $750,000 Champion Of Champions-G1 at Los Alamitos, also proved special for owner Lorena Velazquez Rodriguez.
“I’ve always had faith in this horse,” Rodriguez said through an interpreter. “I was confident he was ready. The best thing I did was place him in Paul’s care.
“He’s a great horse,” she added. “Any place he goes, he tries his best. I’m proud of him.”
The $161,000 winner’s share of the $353,500 race boosted Rylees Boy’s career bankroll to $946,166. It was his eighth graded stakes victory and second this year, having
also taken down top prize in the Sunland Park Championship Challenge in April, which
was his ticket into this rich finale. Last year’s AQHA Champion Aged Gelding, Rylees Boy cost Rodriguez $8,000 as a 4-year-old in 2009.
million into the event, broke sharply and imme- diately took command of the race early while Rylees Boy left the gate in ninth position.
After opening up by a half-length on the field of 11 in the stretch, the classy Llano Teller and jockey G.R. Carter
Jr. appeared well on their
way to another stakes victory when Rylees Boy and Ramon Sanchez commenced a rally down the center of the track. With large strides, Rylees
Boy reeled in the pacesetter approaching the wire and
won by a seemingly measured half-length. He covered the 440 yards in :21.508, earning a speed index of 101.
“Once he took hold, he finished nicely,” said Jones. “We had a clean trip. It was an exciting race.”
Rylees Boy didn’t have a chance to strut his best stuff in his first start for Jones in the Go Man Go Handicap-G1 at Los Alamitos in September. He was knocked around at the start and steadied, ultimately finishing 10th and last in that 400-yard test.
“Sometimes, with 7-year-olds their best days are behind them,” said Jones, “but not this horse. He was training like a million bucks heading into his last race, but he broke
Prairie Meadows $353,500 • 440 yards :21.508 • si 101
Heza Fast Man
Heza Motor Scooter
Hot Tin Lizzie
RYLEES BOY, ’05-g.
Rocky Jones
Pipistrelle
Josie Gun
Rylees Boy’s winning connections include owner Lorena Velazquez Rodriguez, trainer Paul Jones and jockey Ramon Sanchez.
22 SPEEDHORSE, November 23, 2012