AURORA, CO—JUNE 1, 2018—Captain Force returned to the races today,for the first time since winning the Black Gold 440 Championship Futurity(RG3) last November, to set the top qualifying time for the Rocky Mountain Derby at Arapahoe Park.

The graded winner by multiple stakes sire Captain Courage drifted out at the start under jockey Edwuin Lujan but managed to win by a half-length while completing the 350 yards in the top qualifying time of :17.689 seconds, a 92 speed index with a 10 mph tailwind.

Captain Force was the first of three finalist for trainer Hipolito Michel-Valverde. Pedro Andazola owns the Kentucky-bred out of the champion First Down Dash mare Deelish. He has compiled a (6) 3-0-1 record and earned $87,432. Gentry Farms is the breeder.

Valverde also saddled fourth 4th fastest qualifier Mighty Men Of Valor and 8th fastest qualifier Dg Tempter.

Dominate This, a graded-placed son of Dominyun who went off as the post-time favorite in the fourth trial, finished second to Captain Force but still got the second fastest clocking of :17:761.

Jockey Mark Jasso rode the sorrel gelding for owner Angel Villalobos-Hernandez and trainer Lorenzo Campuzano. Second in the Grade 2 West Texas Derby in March, Dominate This is out of the Valiant Hero mare Valiant Red Vixen. Brenda Reiswig bred the $66,201 money earner in Oklahoma.

Alberta-bred graded stakes winner Bringonthewave got a half-length win in the second trial to post the third-fastest time of :17.772 seconds, a 90 speed index with a 15 mph tailwind.

Jockey Jose Figueroa had the ride for trainer James Doolin. Dale Zukowski owns the gray gelding out of Special Corona by Corona Cartel. Bred by Shady Lane Stables, Bringonthewave won his first five starts last season including the Grade 3 Canada Quarter Horse Cup Futurity, Jerry Stojan Memorial Futurity and the Alberta Bred Futurity(RG3). He has earned $45,734.

For the complete list of Rocky Mountain Derby qualifiers, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.