Challenge


Derby, Juvenile Challenge Trials Set for Will Rogers Downs
Tom and Kathleen McNally’s Jess My Hocks will head two trials on Sunday for the Adequan Will Rogers Derby Challenge at Will Rogers Downs.

© Dustin Orona Photography
Derby, Juvenile Challenge Trials Set for Will Rogers Downs

BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI

CLAREMORE, OK—SEPTEMBER 11, 2020—Eleven 3-year-olds, headed by Tom and Kathleen McNally’s Jess My Hocks, are entered in Sunday’s 400-yard Adequan Will Rogers Derby Challenge trials at Will Rogers Downs.

A homebred son of Kiss My Hocks trained by Michelle Hurdle, Jess My Hocks has earned $53,909 from five outs in Oklahoma this season, and the sorrel gelding was a finalist in the April 18, 400-yard Remington Park Derby (RG2), and the May 30, $232,000 Heritage Place Derby (G2). Jess My Hocks drew post 3 and will be ridden by Mario Delgado in the second of two trials.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will meet in the October 4, $30,000-added Adequan Will Rogers Derby Challenge.

Also on Sunday, 14 2-year-olds are entered in two 350-yard John Deere Will Rogers Juvenile Challenge trials.

Empressum, a homebred Apollitical Jess colt trained by Guillermo Valdivia for owners Jeff Jones and Steve Holt, drew post 4 and will be ridden by Armando Ramirez II in the first heat. Empressum has earned $56,621 from five starts this year, and he is coming off of a Ruidoso Downs summer campaign during which he was a finalist in the 400-yard, $1-million Rainbow Futurity (G1) on July 19.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will meet in the $30,000-added John Deere Will Rogers Juvenile Challenge final on October 4.

All Will Rogers Downs races can be seen at Q-RacingVideo.com.