Amarillo, Texas, – The field is gearing up for the $200,000 Bayer Legend Challenge Championship (G1) to be run during the MBNA America Challenge Championships at Lone Star Park on November 11. American Quarter Horse racing fans from across the country will be on hand to catch the action and see the crowning of America’s Fastest Athletes.
The 3-year-old Centerist will be one to watch in the Bayer Legend Challenge Championship. Owned by Abelino Rojas of Dallas, and trained by Carlos Saldivar, Centerist has earned more than $48,000 on the track. Bred by Dr. Ed Allred, the lightly-raced gray Separatist gelding this year has had three starts with two wins, one of which was the Bayer Legend East Challenge (G3) at Delta Downs in Louisiana.
Another key player in Saturday’s Bayer Legend Challenge Championship is Work Work Work, owned by Oscar Ramirez of Wilmer, Texas. The 3-year-old gelding by Chicks Beduino from six starts this year has scored four times, including winning the Bayer Legend Oklahoma Challenge (G3), and has earned more than $45,000.
Canosa, owned by 4G Racing of Othello, Washington, and trained by Bill Hoburg comes to the Bayer Legend Challenge Championship strong. The 3-year-old gelding by the Mr Eye Opener stallion Red (TB) has earned almost $150,000 on the track. Canosa won the Bayer Legend West/Southwest Challenge (G3) and ran second in this year’s Bayer Legend Northwest Challenge (G3) and the 6666 Ranch Handicap (G3). In 2005, he tallied wins in the Ford Challenge Championship (G1) and the Ford Northwest Challenge (G3). 4G Racing is a four-member partnership of Shannon and Michael McKay, Wilbert Miller and Hoburg.
Bayer Animal Health has been the official equine health care manufacturer of AQHA since 1984. Bayer also serves as co-sponsor of the MBNA America Racing Challenge.
The MBNA America Challenge Championship is the headliner on a stakes-filled MBNA America Challenge Championship night at Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie (Texas) on November 11. The MBNA America Racing Challenge is American Quarter Horse racing’s richest program for all American Quarter Horses. A total of 72 races take place in 11 regions across the United States, Canada, Mexico and South America throughout the year. American Quarter Horses compete in one of six different types of races, depending on their age and ability.
The MBNA America Racing Challenge is a $4.8-million purse and bonus awards program, of which more than 60 percent is added money from AQHA Corporate Partners and host racetracks.
Stay up-to-date on this year’s MBNA America Challenge Championships and view a complete list of contenders by visiting http://racing.aqha.com/racing/challenge/index.aspx. This year’s Challenge Championships can be seen live from Lone Star Park on TVG.