Q-Racing Video Distance Challenge Championship Preview

An evenly matched field of 870-yard horses is set to run around the turn at Albuquerque.

Handin Out Candy has won four of five starts this year, including his last race at Albuquerque. PHOTO: Coady Media

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October 16, 2025 | Racing , Racing | Racing , Racing

A powerful group of 870-yard specialists is set to contest the $115,000 Q-Racing Video Distance Challenge (G1) on Saturday night during the AQHA Racing Challenge Championships at The Downs at Albuquerque.

The morning line favorite is Emilio Perez’s Handin Out Candy, who comes into the race with four wins from five starts this year and experience over the Albuquerque racing surface. The 6-year-old gelding by Jess Good Candy won the $50,000 Q-Racing Video Albuquerque Distance Challenge (G2) in his last start for his first career stakes win. Bred in Alabama by Paris Wixon, Handin Out Candy has won seven of 34 lifetime starts with earnings of $181,883. He drew post 6 with Omar Iturralde named to ride for trainer Paul Sedillo.

The second choice on the morning line is Kelly Yother Equine LLC’s O Donovan Rossa, who is making his third appearance in this race after finishing third last year and second in 2023. The Apollitical Jess gelding won this year’s $35,156 Q-Racing Video Remington Distance Challenge (G2) and also finished second in the $51,840 Remington Park Distance Championship Stakes (G1). The 7-year-old has earned nearly $400,000 in his 45-race career with 13 wins. Noe Garcia Jr. will ride for trainer Lillian Silva from post 3.

GJR Rooster is another top contender and will be making his Albuquerque debut after racing in Texas this year. The gelding by This Is An Eagle has won his last two starts, including the $56,000 Benny Pennington Memorial Stakes (RG2) for Texas-breds at Retama Park. Christian Ramos will ride the Zackary Stinebaugh trainee from post 7.

Reigning AQHA Distance Champion Volcoms Favorite, the winner of this race last year, will be seeing his first win of 2025 coming out of post 4 with Irwin Rosendo up for conditioner James Gonzales III and owner Nove Racing LLC.

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