Red Cell Distance Challenge Championship Brings Tough Competition

Amarillo, Texas, November 9, 2006 – Spectators at the 2006 MBNA America Challenge Championships will witness top contenders race for championship honors in the $100,000 Red Cell Distance Challenge Championship (G1) on November 11 at Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie, Texas.

GHF Kool Kotton, bred and owned by Monte Griffin of Lamesa, Texas, and trained by Don Mourning, has scored in five of seven starts this year. He has amassed earnings of more than $61,000 and lifetime earnings exceeding $105,000. The Dean Miracle gelding won this year’s Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame (G3) and the qualifying Red Cell Central Challenge. Having only won two races prior to 2006 and only three lifetime 870-yard starts, GHF Kool Kotton has become a top contender this year.

Just as competitive, My Prince Of Strides is another one to watch in the Red Cell Challenge. Owned by Warner Croft of Austin, Texas, the 6-year-old bay gelding took top honors in last year’s MD Barns Texas Distance Challenge (G3) and the Governor’s Cup Marathon (G3), as well as running second in the MD Barns East Distance Challenge (G3). This year, the Phone Prince (TB) gelding scored in the Red Cell Texas Challenge (G3) and ran second in the Red River Handicap.

Don’t count out Cashin Sam, who is owned by Billy and Amy Johnson’s ABC Racing LLC of Afton, Wyoming, and trained by Bill Hoburg. The 5-year-old gray gelding continued to prove himself when he scored in this year’s Red Cell West/Southwest Distance Challenge and the Red River Handicap, earning more than $20,000. By Cashin Man, he’s had seven starts and three wins, two in stakes company. Cashin Sam also ran third in the 2006 Red Cell Northwest Distance Challenge.

Farnam, makers of Red Cell, has served as the official grooming, conditioning and deworming product supplier of AQHA since 2004. The company sponsors the Vetrolin Champion Trainer Award of the MBNA America Racing Challenge.

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.