Page 15 - Speedhorse June 2019

Bank of America Challenge Championships on Oct. 26.
The Bank of America Challenge Cham- pionships is the year-end culmination of the Challenge program, which was conceived by AQHA in the early 1990s to give top-flight Quarter Horses additional racing opportuni- ties. Regional races held around the world, including South America and Canada, during the year give horses qualifying berths to the Challenge Championships, which annually brings together those top horses on a single night of racing.
This will mark the first time Albuquerque Downs will host the Challenge Championships, and it will mark the first time since 1993 that the event will be held in New Mexico. That year’s inaugural Challenge Championships were held at Sunland Park Racetrack.
Ten Quarter Horse stakes will be con- tested at Albuquerque Downs on Challenge Championships night. The five graded stakes run that night will be topped by the 440-
yard $250,000 Bank of America Challenge Championship-G1, which offers its winner a starting berth in the $600,000 Champion of Champions-G1 at Los Alamitos Racecourse on Dec. 14, which is Quarter Horse racing’s rich- est and most prestigious race for older horses.
“We are so excited about this,” said
AQHA Chief Racing Officer Janet VanBeb- ber. “AQHA appreciates (Albuquerque Downs Chairman of the Board) Paul Blanchard
and President of Racing Don Cook in their enthusiasm to conduct and host the Challenge Championships. Additionally, we appreciate the commitment they’ve shown the industry in renovations at their track, supporting integrity efforts, and efforts to further support and promote Quarter Horse racing.”
Other Quarter Horse stakes highlights include the fifth running of the 440-yard $300,000 Albuquerque Fall Championship- G1. Presented by South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, the Fall Championship will be one of seven stakes offered on Sept. 22. Past winners of the Fall Championship include AQHA World Champions JRS Callas First (2015) and Jessies First Down (2017 and 2018). The winner of this year’s Fall Champi- onship will earn a berth in the 2019 Champi- onship at Sunland Park-G1.
“This is the best stakes program we’ve had since I’ve been here, which is going on 30 years,” said Cook, who held several positions at The Downs before assuming his current post. “We have a strong Thoroughbred pro- gram with something for everyone, and we’ve never had as many as nine graded Quarter Horse stakes during a single meet.”
SPEEDHORSE
12 Monthly Issues Featuring...
1969-2019
• January - Juvenile Sires
• February - AQHA Champions
• March - Freshman Sires
• April - Million Dollar Sires
• May - The Crossover Connection: Race to Barrels • June - Broodmare Of The Year
• July - Special Sale Issue
• August - Yearling Sale Coverage
• September - The All American
• October - All American Weekend Wrap-Up
• November - Holiday Issue
• December - New Year Issue
ANNIVERSARY
Subscription (United States) Includes Stallion & Barrel Stallion Registers Year $49 • 2 Year $89
Speedhorse
Subscription (International) Includes Stallion & Barrel Stallion Registers Year $125 • 2 Year $250
(405) 310-4651 • Fax (405) 310-4655
P.O. Box 1000 • Norman, OK 73070-1000 www.speedhorse.com • Email: info@speedhorse.com
SPEEDHORSE, June 2019 13
TRACK CHATTER