CLAREMORE, OK—SEPTEMBER 11, 2021—Pete Valentino, under jockey Ruben Castro, closed in a rush to break his maiden in the second of three trials Sunday for the John Deere Will Rogers Juvenile Challenge at Will Rogers Downs.

The Texas-bred Hes Relentless 2-year-old clocked the fastest qualifying time of :17.911 seconds, into a 10 mph crosswind, for the 350 yards.

The 10 fastest from the 24 Challenge Enrolled 2-year-olds who competed in the three trial races, will return to Will Rogers Downs on Sunday, October 3rd to vie for the winners' share of a $30,000-added purse as well as earn a trip the October 27th Bank of America Challenge Championships to compete in the Grade 2 $125,000-est. John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship.

Trainer Tammy Kay Johnson saddled fastest qualifier Valentino Pete for owner-breeder' Robert and Stacey Martin. The Texas-bred gelding, from the Mr Eye Opener mare Mystical Eye, was making only his third-career start.

Johnson also sent out the lightly raced Viva Le Zoom in the last trial to break her maiden and get the second fastest clocking of :17.954 seconds into a 10 mph crosswind. The brown filly was making only her second career start after a fifth-place effort in her maiden debut at Sam Houston last July.

The Texas homebred by champion sire Zoomin For Bux, races for owner-breeder Rockin J Running Horses and is out of the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Viva Arriba.

Johnson also qualified 9th fastest Capo de Rock, a Rockin J Running Horses' Capo de Capi gelding out of Rock Princess by Rock Solid Jess.

Hes Relentless led all sires with three qualifiers. The only other trainer with multiple qualifiers were Eddie D. Willis who saddled two.

For a complete list of John Deere Will Rogers Juvenile Challenge qualifiers, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

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Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs is located 3 miles east of Claremore on Highway 20. For more information, visit www.cherokeecasino.com and click on the Will Rogers Downs tab, or call (918) 283-8800.

For additional information CLICK HERE to visit the track's website.