Four Sweet Kid (#5), under jockey Oscar Andrade, Jr., drives to the fastest qualifying time in Tuesday's Adequan Will Rogers Derby Challenge trials.

© Jack Coady Photography

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

CLAREMORE, OK—SEPTEMBER 9, 2025—Two trials were contested Tuesday afternoon at Will Rogers Downs to determine the field for the $30,000-added Adequan Will Rogers Derby Challenge final, and Four Sweet Kid and Ketzal emerged as the two fastest qualifiers from a competitive group of three-year-olds.

The top ten finishers from two heats will return for the 400-yard final on Sunday, September 28.

In the first trial, Four Sweet Kid, a sorrel gelding by multiple stakes sire One Sweet Jess out of Loud Little Kid, by Kiddy Up, broke sharply under jockey Oscar Andrade, Jr. and never looked back, crossing the wire 1¼ lengths in front with the fastest qualifying time of the day, 20.013 seconds, a 91 speed index into a 10 mph headwind.

Trained by Diego Cervantes for owner Jose Aguilar Mendoza, Four Sweet Kid was bred in Arizona by Jose Mendoza Aguilar.

Winner of the Desert Classic Futurity, Desert Classic Stakes, and AQHRA Arizona Derby, Four Sweet Kid has won five of nine starts and banked $114,285.

The second trial produced the day’s second-fastest qualifier, Ketzal, a bay gelding by leading sire Pyc Paint Your Wagon out of Miss Andalusia, by Apollitical Jess.

Guided by Juan Pulido, Ketzal broke sharply and drew clear late to win his heat in 20.033 seconds, a 91 speed index into a 10 mph headwind. He is trained by Heber Deyta-Melendez for owner Javier Rubio and was bred in Texas by Nove Racing LLC.

Ketzal picked up his first win in 11 starts and has earned $15,724.

The final field will be set from the 10 fastest qualifiers, who will return to Will Rogers Downs on September 28 to compete for the $30,000-added purse and a berth in the $165,000-est. Adequan Derby Challenge Championship (G3) on October 18 at The Downs at Albuquerque as part of AQHA Challenge Championship Night.

CLICK HERE for the 10 finalists with times, breeding, and connections.

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