Dreamers Cartel Takes Arapahoe Challenge

Corona Cartel mare earns first stakes victory at Colorado track.

July 7, 2012

After setting the fastest qualifying time in the trials, Junior’s Quarter Horses Inc.’s Dreamers Cartel returned to capture the final of the $27,000 Merial Arapahoe Distaff Challenge on Saturday in Colorado. The 5-year-old daughter of Corona Cartel also earned a berth in the $125,000 Merial Distaff Challenge Championship (G1) to be run October 27 at Prairie Meadows.

Trained by Chris Gandarilla and ridden by Russell Vicchrilli, Dreamers Cartel took command from the inside post position and crossed the wire a length in front with a 400-yard clocking in :20.090 against a 20 mph headwind. The mare, who was bred in California by John Sperry, earned her third career win and first stakes victory. She finished third in last year’s Merial Arapahoe Distaff Challenge, which was her first career start as a 4-year-old. Her record now stands at 10-3-2-1 with earnings of $40,757.

Royal Dream Ranch LLC’s Urbanite hit the board for the 11th consecutive time and earned $5,400 for her second-place finish. Terry Wootan’s Jesiacountrychick crossed the wire third.