Im Rip, under jockey Dakota Wood, surged to the top of the qualifiers list for the $17,000-added NDQHRA Derby Saturday afternoon at North Dakota Horse Park.

© Wendy Reuer

By StallioneSearch

FARGO, ND—JULY 19, 2025—Multiple stakes winner Im Rip surged to the top of the qualifiers list for the $17,000-added NDQHRA Derby with a sharp 400-yard trial victory Saturday afternoon at North Dakota Horse Park.

The brown gelding stopped the clock in 20.178 seconds, a 97 speed index into a 5 mph crosswind, edging out Famous Speedy One by a neck in the first of two trials for 3-year-old North Dakota-breds.

Bred and owned by Tyrell R. Moody, Im Rip is by multiple stakes sire Rip Tide and out of Cowboywannab, a daughter of Cowboys Cartel.

The Skip Moody trainee broke well, brushed early, but quickly righted himself and finished with determination under jockey Dakota Wood to register the fastest of eight qualifying times for the August 2 final. He has won seven 10 career starts including the NDQHRA Futurity and Rusty Wilson Memorial Futurity while earning $33,639.

Famous Speedy One, also a staks winner who finished a close second to Im Rip in that heat, earned the second-fastest spot in the final with a qualifying time of 20.248.

The gelded son of Famous Painted One, out of Little Free Speed by Free Company, is owned by Wilson Racing Stables and was bred in North Dakota by Darrel Smith and Noreen Cavanaugh. Trained by Robert Don Johnson and ridden by Brian Beetem, the sorrel gelding broke in at the start but recovered well to finish gamely. He has earned over $38,000.

Wrangler 123 won the second trial under jockey Dakota Wood. © Wendy Reuer

The second trial was won by Wrangler 123, who stopped the clock in 20.473 seconds to secure the third-fastest place in the final.

The son of leading third-crop sire Flying Cowboy 123, out of Marmolly by Freighttrain B, is owned and bred by Billy Buchholz and trained by Robert Don Johnson. Under jockey Dakota Wood, the brown gelding broke on top, kept to task, and edged away late to win by three-quarters of a length, recording a 90 speed index. He has banked $13,079 in 11 starts.

The two trials determined the eight fastest qualifiers for the NDQHRA Derby final, which will also be contested on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at North Dakota Horse Park.

The final will feature a purse of $17,000-added and is restricted to accredited North Dakota-bred 3-year-old Quarter Horses. CLICK HERE for finalists with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers, and jockeys.

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