Kowboy Boogie, under jockey Bryan Candanosa, breaks his maiden while posting the fastest qualifying time for the John Deere Will Rogers Juvenile Challenge on Tuesday at Will Rogers Downs.

© Jack Coady Photography

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

CLAREMORE, OK—SEPTEMBER 9, 2025—Four trials were contested Tuesday afternoon at Will Rogers Downs to determine the 10 fastest qualifiers for the $30,000-added John Deere Will Rogers Juvenile Challenge final, set for Sunday, September 28, 2025.

The 350-yard trials featured accredited AQHA Challenge-enrolled 2-year-olds, and Kowboy Boogie and Raizen Kane posted the two fastest times of the day to lead the field to the championship event.

Kowboy Boogie, a brown colt owned and trained by Kenneth Durbin, delivered the day’s most impressive performance in the opening trial, stopping the timer in 17.962 seconds to secure the fastest qualifying spot.

Ridden confidently by Bryan Candanosa, the son of leading sire Flying Cowboy 123 out of the Capo de Capi mare Hot Lips Lupita drew away late to score by 2¼ lengths over runner-up I Are a Cowgirl.

Bred in New Mexico by Carrol A. Durbin, Kowboy Boogie looked every bit the part of a serious contender heading into the final later this month. Starting off a third-place effort in the Rainbow Futurity trials in his last start, Kowboy Boogie broke his maiden today. He has earned $4,612 in three career starts.

The second-fastest qualifier, Raizen Kane, delivered an eye-catching rally in the third trial to win by three-quarters of a length under jockey Ramiro Haro Garcia.

The sorrel gelding, trained by Jason L. Olmstead for owner-breeder Bobby D. Cox, covered the distance in 18.063 seconds into a 10 mph headwind. By champion sire One Famous Eagle and out of the Corona Cartel mare Cartel Regards, Raizen Kane’s strong finish solidified his status as a significant threat in the final.

Raizen Kane, a $40,100 repurchase from the Heritage Place Spring Forward Online Sale, broke his maiden today. In his two previous outings at Prairie Meadows, he finished fourth and fourth, respectively.

The top ten qualifiers from Tuesday’s trials will return to compete in the $30,000-added John Deere Will Rogers Juvenile Challenge final on Sunday, September 28, at Will Rogers Downs in Claremore, Oklahoma.

Also at stake for the winner is a berth in the $140,000-est. John Deere Juvenile Challenge (G2) Championship at The Downs at Albuquerque on October 18.

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

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