SALLISAW, Okla. — Carthage high school graduate Debbie Freeman led Hijo de Villa to a dominating victory in the Oklahoma Derby Challenge in a Grade 3 race for quarter horses last Saturday at Blue Ribbon Downs.

The victory earned Freeman, a veteran jockey from Champion, a spot in the Grade 1 $200,000 Bayer Legend Derby Challenge championship Nov. 8 in Opelousas, La.

It was the eighth career victory for Hijo de Villa, who has finished worse than third only once in his 14-start career.