Dr Tool, under jockey Jesus Valenzuela, winning the Adequan Derby Challenge on Sunday.

© Kira Crook

OGDEN, UT—MAY 24, 2020—The fastest qualifier from two trials on May 10, Dr Tool returned on Sunday afternoon to win the $50,771 Adequan Weber Downs Derby Challenge.

Due to complications related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Weber Downs agreed to host the regional ARC Distaff Challenge and Adequan Derby Challenge qualifiers that had originally been scheduled at Sun Downs.

Jesus Valenzuela won his third stake of the day aboard Dr Tool; the pair broke sharply and cleared the field by a length and a half at the wire. Dr Tool earned a 105 speed index and finished the 400-yard race in 19.953, just slightly slower than his 19.948 qualifying time.

The winning connections of Dr Tool accept the Adequan Derby Challenge trophy on Sunday. © Kira Crook

Dr Tool is owned and trained by Luis Gonzalez. The 3-year-old son of Kiss My Hocks was bred in Texas by Andy Caulo, out of the One Famous Eagle mare Where Eagles Soar, whose dam is multiple graded stakes winner Sixy Thru Traffic.

Sunday’s win was Dr Tool’s first stakes victory and his second career win in nine starts. As a 2-year-old, he was third in the La Fiesta Futurity at The Downs at Albuquerque and now has earnings of $59,950.

Second-fastest qualifier Calida and jockey Eric Ayala were powerful from the gate and chased Dr Tool before finishing second, nearly a length in front of Liquid Courage B in third place.

Calida won her trial and has two career wins in seven starts; her previous win was a victory in the Roche Equine Futurity at Jerome last June.

Liquid Courage B was up for third with Armando Viramontes aboard for trainer Ricardo Castillo and owner Adrian Aleman. The 3-year-old filly is multiple stakes placed and has two wins in nine lifetime starts.

Liquid Courage B was bred in Texas by Paragon Farms, LLC, by FDD Dynasty and out of the graded stakes placed mare First Class Lacy B, by Mr Jess Perry.

Video replays of each race are available on the Utah Quarter Horse Association Racing YouTube channel.

Completing the field were Meghans Feature Sign, Shes Emotionless, Kiss Fast Zoom, Thrill of the Cartel, Trumpster, Dh Renees Dynasty and Orange Vodka Shooter.