Stylish Jess BR Photo: AQHRJ

October 31, 2009 -- Stylish Jess Br posted a :19.363 for an impressive win in the 400 yard $125,000 Merial Distaff Challenge on October 31st at Los Alamitos. The brown filly is owned by Benny Rossett.

Stylish Jess Br broke first and lead the entire race. She ended up 1 and 1/4 lengths ahead of second place finisher and race favorite, Terrific Energy. Terrific Energy is owned by Parsons Family Trust and was ridden by Eddie Garcia. She took home $25,000 for her effort.

After the race, Terrific Energy's trainer Christopher O'Dell, said "No excuse; she had a perfect start and just got outrun. It's hard to get beat, but all along, I've praised Stylish Jess; she's a nice mare. You always try to beat the good ones. If you can, you can but so far she's beaten me twice."  

One half length back in third was Answer The Dream, owned by Kelly J. Garvan, Nancy Yearsley and Lloyd J. Yother and ridden by Cody Jensen, picked up $12,5000.

With Ramon Sanchez in the irons for trainer Paul Jones, Stylish Jess Br earned $57,500 bringing her career earnings to $621,184.

"She ran a good race; broke good and got up to the lead and I knew we had it," said trainer Paul Jones. "Everyone discounted us in this race, but I knew if she ran her race we could beat her and we did. We are very happy."

Stylish Jess Br won the California Distaff Challenge (G3) earlier this year. She also won the 2008 Mildred N Vessels Memorial Handicap (G1) and the 2007 Ed Burke Memorial Juvenile (G1). She was bred by James G. Burgess MD or Russellville, Arkansas. She is by Feature Mr Jess out of Stylish Secret by Dash For Cash.

Full results: Stylish Jess Br, Terrific Energy, Answer The Dream, Strength In Numbers, Panther Purr, Baby La Jolla, As Takin First, I Opening Sensation, and Starsmith.