Fastest qualifier Zoom On Jess returned to win the $22,110 Bitterroot Derby at Pocatello Downs on Friday night.

© Kira Crook

POCATELLO, ID—JULY 31, 2020—Zoom On Jess was a convincing winner of the $22,110 Bitterroot Derby at Pocatello on Friday night. The fastest qualifier returned to win by nearly a length in the 400-yard final with a time of 20.202 and a 92 speed index.

Eric Ayala had the call on Zoom On Jess ($3.80), a Jess Zoomin gelding trained by Monty Arrossa.

Gary and Jeralyn Messenger of Idaho bred and own Zoom On Jess, who is out of Feature Miss Fame, by Feature Mr Jess. He is a multiple stakes winner with seven wins in 16 career starts and earnings of $68,834.

The winning connections of Zoom On Jess accept the Bitterroot Derby stakes trophy Friday at Pocatello Downs.
© Kira Crook

in 2019, Zoom On Jess qualified to the Bitterroot Futurity and won the Idaho Cup Futurity at Sandy, followed by The Plan Handicap at Los Alamitos. He stayed at Los Al over the winter and competed in several stakes, including the Los Alamitos Winter Derby (G2). Prior to returning to Idaho, he finished second in the Adequan California Regional Derby Challenge qualifier.

Mark Hanson trains the second and third finishers, Sables Dashin and Thrill of the Cartel. The stablemates were also the second and third fastest qualifiers.

Nakia Ramirez was aboard Sables Dashin, owned by Robin Dunn, Larry Chapple and RTM Stables LLC. He was bred by Bob Moore Farms in Oklahoma, out of Painted Sable, by Pyc Paint Your Wagon. Painted Sable is a multiple graded stakes placed mare and was second in the AQHA Distaff Challenge Championship (G1) at Prairie Meadows in 2012.

Like his dam, Sables Dashin has had success in the AQHA Challenge program. He won the Pocatello Downs Juvenile Challenge last fall and competed in the John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship (G2) at Albuquerque in October.

Jesus Canales returned to ride Thrill of the Cartel, who was second to Sables Dashin in their trial. As a 2-year-old, he qualified to the Bitterroot Futurity and won the Emerald Downs Juvenile Challenge before competing in the John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship (G2). This year, he has run in both the Adequan Derby Challenge regional qualifiers at Weber and Pocatello.

Thrill of the Cartel is owned by Hanson Racing LLC, Robin Dunn and Kevin Dunn. He was bred in Texas by Fulton Quien Sabe Ranches LP, by Favorite Cartel and out of License to Thrill, by Mr Jess Perry.

Completing the field were Dashn Courage, Sheza Tacy Gator, Brilliant Cut Cartel, Vf Silverback, Rtm Good Enough, Snowsa Flying and Shidacious.