MBNA Challenge Championships Picks

By
JEREMY PLONK via <a href="http://espn.go.com/" title="ESPN" class="espn_sc_byline">ESPN </a>
via
December 28, 2014, 10:06 AM ET
4 min read

— -- Now in its 13th year, Saturday's six-race MBNA America Challenge Championships program once again provides one of the season's top offerings for horseplayers. With an average $2 winning payoff of $14.36, let's dig into Los Alamitos' star-studded American Quarter Horse program in search of winners. $75,000 Professional's Choice Claiming Challenge Championship
Race 6: Three-year-olds and up, 350 yards
Win: JUDINELL JO -- Love how he's been facing tougher since qualifying; key angle.
Place: TACERRAC -- Sharp local runner rising up the ladder while hot since claimed.
Show: DELTA FORCE MAGIC -- Put away since June after qualifying; one to beat.
Longshot: CORONA MAGNIFICO $100,000 John Deere Distaff Challenge Championship
Race 7: Three-year-olds and up (fillies/mares), 400 yards
Win: MINI ROCK -- Supreme 27-for-32 in-the-money mark; needed last after break.
Place: NONE AS EASY -- History of long layoffs, but back class and recent form return.
Show: TEXAS CHATTERBOX -- Ran into a tough hombre in TX last time; worth look.
Longshot: Vital Jewel $150,000 Ford Juvenile Challenge Championship
Race 8: Two-year-olds, 350 yards
Win: PASSION RUSH -- Razor-sharp in Oklahoma for underrated trainer.
Place: SNOWBOARD SAPPHIRE -- Away since August, but flawless for Paul Jones.
Show: ACE CRYSTAL CHARM -- Showed promise in Texas this spring; long layoff.
Longshot: NATIVE CARTEL $300,000 MBNA America Challenge Championship
Race 9: Three-year-olds and up, 440 yards
Win: CATCHMEINYOURDREAMS -- Clearly horse to beat after facing best of Los Al.
Place: A LONG GOODBYE -- World record holder has never been better; class test.
Show: SLM SNOWMAN -- Doesn't look like the same horse who won this in 2004.
Longshot: FAST TALKIN VAL $175,000 Bayer Legend Derby Challenge Championship
Race 10: Three-year-olds, 400 yards
Win: TELL EM IM GONE -- 7-for-11 and never missed the board; sharp LA tries '04.
Place: DASHA FREDA -- Local runner has been facing tough rivals; better than last.
Show: WRS SPECIAL SHOE -- Solid year in '05, but looks like he was a better 2YO.
Longshot: BOMBAY MARTINI $100,000 MD Barns Distance Challenge Championship
Race 11: Three-year-olds and up, 870 yards
Win: PRANKSTER CF -- Unbeaten in "routes" and not one you should stand against.
Place: FIRST TO RAMBLE -- Dominant runner in both OK & IA for outstanding trainer.
Show: MY PRINCE OF STRIDES -- Like the Texas "hook" runners; career-best form.
Longshot: RUNBYU