Streakin Wes, under jockey Brayan Juarez, won division 1 of the $15,000 Gary & Sharilyn Blattner Memorial Derby at Pocatello Downs on Sunday.

© Sam Wilson

POCATELLO, ID–MAY 21, 2023–The $15,000 Gary & Sharilyn Blattner Memorial Derby was set for trials on May 7, but due to weather cancellations, the finals were broken into two divisional races today at Pocatello Downs.

Division 1

It was a close finish for the top three horses in the $15,000 Gary & Sharilyn Blattner Memorial Derby-Division 1, with Streakin Wes crossing the wire a neck ahead of Jess Speed Cartel, who was only a neck in front of Absolute Keerash.

Streakin Wes broke from the two hole in second place, but after a late surge he crossed the finish line first by a neck over Jess Speed Cartel who had held the lead. The Idaho-bred colt clocked an 89 speed index in :17.851 seconds.

Ridden by Brayan Juarez, the son of Panama Wes was wagered as post time favorite for the 350-yard derby and the victory paid $6.60 for the win. The $7,800 winner’s share of the purse upped his earnings to $15,655.

Conditioned by Glen Jamison, Streakin Wes broke his maiden in his last race of 2022 and has been a finalist in three other stakes races. Bred and owned by Ramiro Saldana, the three-year-old colt is out of Streakin Zestfully by Streakin Sixes.

Jess Speed Cartel, piloted by Cesar Moreno, lead from the gates and but caught at the wire for second. Conditioned by Jose Rosales Gomez, the son of Corona Cartel broke maiden in his freshman year and has $14,000 in career earnings.

Breeder Speed, LLC sold Jess Speed Cartel for $150,000 in the 2021 Heritage Place Yearling Sale. The Utah-bred gelding is currently owned by Ranch AA, LLC and out of Valiant Jess by Valiant Hero.

Absolut Keerash, under jockey Armando Viramontes, made a solid effort to the wire for third. The son of Marfa Lights is trained by Kylie Valenzuela and has one win under his belt with $4,800 in the bank. 

Gary Blattner bred the three-year-old gelding out of Absolut Pride by Ketel Won in partnership with Kylie Schoonover. Absolut Keerash is owned by Lukrena Schoonover.

Completing the order of finish is First Corona Magic, Good Candy Cash, Whooz Ya Daddy, Kmk Grandpas Horse, Mz Six and Kirklyns Candy. 

Division 2

Bee A Freight Train takes home the trophy for division 2 of the $15,000 Gary & Sharilyn Blattner Memorial Derby for his sixth consecutive victory. Piloted by Julian Zavala, the son of Freighttrain B went gate-to-wire for a neck win in :17.945 seconds clocking an 86 speed index. The post-time favorite’s victory paid $4.40 for the win.

Bee A Freight Train, under jockey Julian Zavala won division 2 of the Gary & Sharilyn Blattner Memorial Derby at Pocatello Downs. © Sam Wilson

Bee A Freight Train is on a roll with his last six wins in stakes competition, including Pocatello Downs Fall Open Futurity, Emerald Downs Juvenile Challenge, Prineville Futurity and Firecracker Futurity Consolation. Conditioned by Rosa Rodriguez, the Utah-bred colt has $51,275 in career earnings.

Bee A Freight Train was a 2021 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate for $26,000. Bred by Darian Burt, the three-year-old colt is out of the Apollitical Jess mare N Bee C, who’s dam is a stakes winning half-sister to champion and leading sire First Moonflash.

Guided by Oscar Villa, Kiss A Lou Blue made a solid effort for second. Trained by Ramiro Fregoso, the daughter of Jess Louisiana Blue has lit the board six of nine starts with two wins, including the Roche Equine Veterinary Services Futurity last year. The Idaho bred filly has $27,065 in the bank.

Bred and owned by Five Livestock Company, LLC, Kiss A Lou Blue is out of Kiss A Kardashian by Jr Dynasty Mountain.

Rlh Fouronthefloor, ridden by Jose Borbonio, came in third. The stakes winnings son of Jess Got Easier has a record of 3-2-1 from seven starts with $24,319 in earnings.

Trainer Heath Hillman saddled Rlh Fouronthefloor for breeder/owner Robert Harrison of Idaho. The three-year-old gelding is out of Sp Saint Patty by Saint Shackleton.

The Rev Rocker, Whiskey Diva, Dc Ladys Dash Eagle, Hawks Interest, Blackwater Cartel, Corona Wagon and Rb Dash Thru Fire complete the order of finish.