TW Streakin Cowboy and Diego Villamil Bocanegra took one step closer to the Grade 2 John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship set for Saturday, October 18 at The Downs at Albuquerque. The local duo rallied home for the win in the regional challenge for the John Deere Juvenile to earn a spot in the final.
TW Streakin Cowboy began from post six and wasn’t the first out of the gate but was surrounded by speed. WR Hott Shott and Horseshoe Indianapolis current leading Quarter Horse Jockey Eduardo Diaz sprinted out to the early lead to the inside of TW Streakin Cowboy. Mr Booombastic and Martin Munoz also showed early speed along the inside. As the race took shape, those three horses established themselves as the ones to catch. WR Hott Shott was leading the way before TW Streakin Cowboy stepped in during the final strides, scoring the win by a neck in :17.554. WR Hott Shott was a comfortable second over Mr Booombastic.
TW Streakin Cowboy was making his third career start, and second as a race finisher. In his first race, he reared at the start and lost jockey Villamil in the process. He came back with a second place finish in July, setting him up for his maiden breaking win in the John Deere Juvenile Challenge. As one of the favorites of the field, he paid $7.20 for the win.
“He (TW Streakin Cowboy) broke a little tardy,” noted Villamil Bocanegra, who was leading the Quarter Horse jockey standings last summer before an injury sidelined him for the remainder of the meet in 2025. “But once he got going, he was good. He does his job very well.”
Waiting for the pair in the winner’s circle was former jockey and current trainer Natasha Perez, who ponies all her horses to post aboard her horse Marshmallow. Perez is a second generation jockey, following her mother, Julie Veltman into the business. She now trains for owner Thomas Wylie of Ohio, who also bred the son of Flying Cowboy 123.
“We felt we had a really good shot today in the race,” said Perez aboard Marshmallow for her post race interview with Rachel McLaughlin, racing analyst at Horseshoe Indianapolis. “This horse has so much potential, and I don’t think he’s shown us yet what he can do. He gets better and better. We are so excited to see his potential. I’m not sure if we will make the trip to the Challenge or not. We will talk about it and see.”
The 23rd season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing runs through Thursday, Nov. 13. For more information on racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis/racing or find details on social media @HSIndyRacing.
