In The Vee continued an outstanding sophomore campaign Saturday afternoon at Sweetwater Downs, edging stablemate Mv Paint Me Jess by a half-length to capture the $169,261 WABRA Wyoming Bred QH Derby [R].

Sent off as the 3-10 favorite, In The Vee showed good speed from the outset before edging clear late under jockey Jacob Cardenas. The sorrel gelding completed the 400 yards in :19.818, earning a 94 speed index over a fast racing surface. A 14-mph crosswind was recorded for the race.

The victory was worth $70,160 for owner Eddie Jensen and increased In The Vee's career earnings to $304,053. Trained by Jess R. Matt, the Wyoming-bred gelding has compiled 11 wins, two seconds and one third from 16 career starts.

Dan or Kim Lapierre bred In The Vee, a 3-year-old son of Junior June Bug from the Brindis Por Cayenne mare Brindis Secret. His stakes résumé now includes victories in the WABRA Wyoming Bred Futurity, WABRA Wyoming Bred Derby, Bucking Horse Sale Futurity and Young Ford Wyoming Derby. He was also second in the 307HR Wyoming Bred Derby and third in the Wyoming Bred Futurity.

Mv Paint Me Jess completed a one-two finish for owner Eddie Jensen and trainer Jess R. Matt, finishing a half-length behind his stablemate to earn $35,080. Cerapio Figueroa rode the 3-year-old gelding.

Bred in Wyoming by Ron and Laurie Moosman, Mv Paint Me Jess is by Jess Paint Me from the Separatist mare Separate Encounter. He has won four of 14 career starts with three seconds and three thirds while earning $173,518. His record includes a victory in the Ron Cook Wyoming Bred Futurity and a runner-up effort in the WABRA Wyoming Bred Derby. He has also been a finalist in the KC Carden Wyoming Bred Derby and Dan Lockie Derby.

Fly The Flag finished another neck behind Mv Paint Me Jess in third and earned $17,540 for owner, breeder and trainer Stan Young. Juan Carlos Rivas was aboard the Wyoming-bred gelding.

A son of Fly Thru The Fire from the Stoli mare Eagle Nation, Fly The Flag has won five of 13 career starts with two seconds and two thirds and earnings of $56,194. Saturday's third-place finish in the WABRA Wyoming Bred Derby added to a record that includes a finalist appearance in the Wyoming Bred Futurity.

Zoomin Diamond finished fourth, followed by Miss Pollys Train, Jess Checkem Out, Jv Dashing Lady, My Dynasty, and Paint Me Ivory. Kcross Lever Action was scratched.

The WABRA Wyoming Bred QH Derby was restricted to accredited Wyoming-bred 3-year-olds that qualified through trials conducted September 5 at Sweetwater Downs.

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JJ Apollitical Snow SI 92, a Grade 3 finalist and son of all-time leading sire Apollitical Jess, has joined the StallioneSearch.com Member Stallion roster as he prepares to begin his breeding career in 2027.

The 4-year-old gray stallion, owned by J & J Stables LLC, will continue racing through the remainder of the 2026 season before entering stud next year at J & J Stables LLC near Keithville, Louisiana.

JJ Apollitical Snow will stand his introductory season for a fee of $1,000, with an additional incentive available to early breeders. The first 25 mares booked for the 2027 breeding season will receive a $250 discount.

A Louisiana-bred son of legendary sire Apollitical Jess, JJ Apollitical Snow is out of multiple stakes winner Snow Regard SI 96, by Chicks Regard.

JJ Apollitical Snow has compiled a record of three wins, four seconds and one third from 24 starts while earning $38,982 through September 10. He was named the East Hi-Point Three-Year-Old Colt in 2025 and was a finalist in the Grade 3 Firecracker Derby and G.C.F.A. Dutchman Stakes.

As a 2-year-old, JJ Apollitical Snow won twice and finished second three times from 10 starts, earning $24,740. He added another victory and a runner-up finish during his 3-year-old campaign, earning $14,142.

His sire, Apollitical Jess SI 107, needs little introduction. The World Champion and $1.39 million earner has established himself among the most influential sires in Quarter Horse racing history. Through September 2026, Apollitical Jess has sired 177 stakes winners, 14 champions and earners of more than $88.6 million.

His leading runners include two-time champion and All American Futurity (G1) winner KJ Desparado SI 118, with earnings of more than $3.47 million; World Champion Empressum SI 111, an earner of more than $2.7 million; three-time champion and All American Futurity (G1) winner Apocalyptical Jess SI 103, with earnings exceeding $2.25 million; and two-time champion Political Twist SI 105, winner of the Ruidoso Futurity (G1) and more than $1.66 million through his 3-year-old season.

Apollitical Jess has also firmly established himself as a sire of sires, with his sons increasingly making their mark at stud. His influence is led by Flying Cowboy 123, currently the No. 1 leading sire of money earners in 2026, while fellow sons KJ Mucho Macho Man and Chilitos have emerged among the industry's leading young sires. Champion Apollitical Blood, winner of the All American Derby (G1), has also developed into a successful sire and leading sire of champions.

Together, their success provides further evidence that Apollitical Jess is not only producing elite racehorses but also establishing a powerful and increasingly important sire line within the Quarter Horse industry.

JJ Apollitical Snow also brings a strong New Mexico stakes family to the breeding shed through his dam.

Snow Regard won four races and earned $241,205 while earning Superior Race Horse honors. She won the New Mexico Fillies & Mares Championship (RG1) and Sunburst Stakes and finished second in the Lou Wooten Handicap (RG1), New Mexico State Fair Senorita Futurity (RG3) and Jimmy Drake Stakes.

Snow Regard was also named New Mexico Hi-Point Three-Year-Old Filly and New Mexico Hi-Point Aged Mare.

The daughter of Chicks Regard has produced eight ROM from 11 starters, including JJ Apollitical Snow. Her other winners include JJ Coronas Snow SI 99, a three-time winner, and JJ First Down Dash SI 81, by legendary First Down Dash.

JJ Apollitical Snow's second dam, Sha Hooy Hooy SI 103, is a Major Rime mare and a half-sister to stakes-placed Blazin Force SI 102, an earner of $91,687.

With the combination of Apollitical Jess on top and an accomplished stakes-winning female family underneath, JJ Apollitical Snow offers Louisiana breeders a young stallion prospect with both racing credentials and proven bloodlines.

JJ Apollitical Snow will stand the 2027 breeding season at J & J Stables LLC, 14021 Johns Gin Road, Keithville, Louisiana 71047. His fee is $1,000, with the first 25 mares booked receiving a $250 discount.

For additional information or breeding inquiries, contact farm manager, Lexus Delbosque, at (469) 716-4101 or email jjstablesllc@gmail.com.

CLICK HERE to visit JJ Apollitical Snow's StallioneSearch.com Member Stallion page.

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Rock Ya Later rallied through the stretch and drew away late Saturday to capture the $50,000 Q-Racing Video New Mexico Distance Challenge (G2) at The Downs at Albuquerque.

Ridden by Daniel Antonio Torres for trainer Tammy Kay Johnson, Rock Ya Later completed the 870 yards over a muddy, sealed racetrack in :48.446, earning a 54 speed index. A 6-mph headwind was reported for the race.

Rock Ya Later broke sharply from the inside before dropping back around the turn. The 6-year-old gelding responded through the stretch, overtaking the leaders and drawing clear to win by 1 1/2 lengths.

The victory was worth $25,000 for owner Rockin J Running Horses and increased Rock Ya Later's career record to 44 starts, eight wins, six seconds and 10 thirds with earnings of $323,840.

Bred in Texas by Melissa L. Slayton, Rock Ya Later is a son of Rock Solid Jess from the Separatist mare Dosvedanya. His stakes résumé includes wins in the Q-Racing Video New Mexico Distance Challenge (G2) and Sandia Stakes, along with placings in the Remington Park Distance Challenge (G2), King Rick Rack Stakes (G2), San Marcos Stakes, and Governors Cup Marathon Stakes (G2).

The victory also earned Rock Ya Later a berth in the $125,000-est. Q-Racing Video Distance Challenge Championship (G1), which will be contested at The Downs at Albuquerque during AQHA Challenge Championship Night on October 15.

Iam Outta Here set the early pace before giving way late, finishing second, 2 1/2 lengths ahead of Handin Out Candy. The 5-year-old gelding earned $10,750, increasing his career totals to 17 starts, four wins, three seconds, and one third with earnings of $107,791.

Christian Cardenas rode Iam Outta Here for trainer Jason L. Driver and owner Sergio Ibarra. Bred by J & Sm Inc., the gelding is by Coronas Leaving You from the Woodbridge mare Carson City Girl. His record includes a runner-up finish in the Q-Racing Video New Mexico Distance Challenge (G2) and a finalist appearance in the Hobs America Invitational Derby and Turf Paradise Championship Challenge.

Handin Out Candy finished another 4 3/4 lengths ahead of fourth-place finisher Freightrainsnmonstrs to earn $5,500 for owner Emilio Perez. The 7-year-old gelding has compiled a career record of 42 starts, 12 wins, 10 seconds and five thirds with earnings of $373,350.

Oscar Andrade Jr. rode Handin Out Candy for trainer Paul Sedillo. Bred by Paris Wixon, he is by Jess Good Candy from the Dash Ta Fame mare Ole Auntie Em.

Handin Out Candy was a $30,000 RNA at the 2025 Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale. His stakes victories include the AQHA Distance Challenge Championship (G1), The Downs at Albuquerque Distance Challenge (G2), Pauls Valley Stakes (G2), Remington Park Distance Challenge (G2), and King Rick Rack Stakes (G2).

Completing the field were Freightrainsnmonstrs, Y O Zoomin Ollie and Zoominthrucarsoncity, respectively.

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The starting gates are officially swinging open for the start of the 2026 American Quarter Horse Association racing season at Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs. The 28-day meet runs through Nov. 17, bringing higher purses and some of the region’s fastest Paint, Appaloosa and Quarter Horses back to the Claremore track.

The 2026 Will Rogers Downs fall racing schedule features average daily purses around $150,000. Racing will be conducted regularly on Mondays and Tuesdays, with Sunday racing beginning on Sept. 27, creating a three-day race week. First post will be at 12:00 p.m.

"The return of Quarter Horse racing this fall at Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs figures to be well received,” said John Lies, director of racing for Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs. “Last fall we experienced an increase in field size, and the strength of our stall applications and trainer feedback indicate we may be able to take another step forward in delivering more competitive, high-quality racing our fans have come to expect in Claremore.”

Three sets of trials for American Quarter Horse Association championship races will be offered in the first week, including Distaff Challenge Trials, the Juvenile Challenge Trials and the Derby Challenge Trials.

Overnight purses have been increased across the board for all races, including the Miss Ellen Stakes and the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association (OQHRA) Fall Classic, which both move from $24,000 to $30,000 for 2026.

Tuesday, Nov. 17, will close out the season with a final schedule that includes the $15,000-Added Speedhorse Paint and Appaloosa Futurity Championship Final, the $25,000-Added Mystery Derby Final, and the Black Gold Futurity Championship and the Black Gold Fillies Futurity Championship, both with a $123,750-Added purse.

For more information on the 2026 Quarter Horse racing season at Will Rogers Downs, visit https://www.cherokeecasino.com/games/horse-racing.

With more than 250 games, live music, heart-pounding horse racing action and impeccable service, Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs is your source of entertainment. The casino and track are both located three miles east of Claremore on Hwy. 20. For more information, visit www.cherokeecasino.com and click on the Will Rogers Downs tab, or call (918) 283-8800.

About Cherokee Nation Entertainment

Cherokee Nation Entertainment is the gaming and hospitality company of the Cherokee Nation. What began as a small bingo hall in Roland, Oklahoma, has evolved into one of the region’s largest and most dynamic gaming and hospitality enterprises, generating more than $1 billion in annual revenue, employing over 4,000 people, and welcoming more than 10 million visitors each year. With more than three decades of experience delivering world-class entertainment, CNE owns and operates the renowned Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa and nine Cherokee Casinos throughout Oklahoma, including a racino, three resort hotels, a championship golf course, and a variety of dining, retail and entertainment venues. CNE also operates Gold Strike Casino & Resort in Tunica, Mississippi, one of the most recognized gaming destinations in the Mid-South. As a key economic engine for the Cherokee Nation, CNE is deeply committed to improving the lives of Cherokee citizens and strengthening communities through job creation, cultural preservation and reinvestment in vital services. For more information, visit HardRockCasinoTulsa.com, CherokeeCasino.com and GoldStrike.com.

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