Cardiac Cowboy, piloted by Ramiro Garcia, wins his trial heat and sets the time to beat in the $97,375 Prairie Meadows Gold Derby trials on Sunday.

© Coady Photography

ALTOONA, IA–JUNE 23, 2024–24 three-year-olds raced from three trials on Sunday afternoon for a spot in the $97,375 Prairie Meadows Gold Derby finals, to be run on Sunday, July 7.

Heavy favorite in trial #1 Cardiac Cowboy, piloted by Ramiro Garcia, broke in from the inside and held firm to the wire for a neck victory over Relentless Bay. The Oklahoma-bred gelding clocked a 97 speed index in :17.472 seconds for the fastest qualifying time and the 350-yard victory paid $4.20 to win.

Cardiac Cowboy's trainer Jason Olmstead conditioned six finalists in the derby with Garcia in the irons aboard three of them. The son of Flying Cowboy 123 has six career wins from 13 starts and $236,326 in the bank, including the Grade 3 Valley Junction Futurity at Prairie Meadows in 2023.

He placed third in last year's Prairie Meadows Gold Futurity and is a three-time Grade 1 finalist, including the Heritage Place Derby and Remington Park Derby this year.

Jo Rice is bred and owns Cardiac Cowboy, who is out of Southard Cartel by Carters Cartel.

Mr Kash Wagon, ridden by Cristian Esqueda, won trial #2 by 1/2-length over the favorite Jess A Rednec Cowboy for the second fastest qualifying time. The son of Pyc Paint Your Wagon clocked a 96 speed index in :17.502 seconds and the upset by $19.40 on a $2.00 wager.

Stacy Charette-Hill bred, owns and trains Mr Kash Wagon, who has been lightly raced. The Oklahoma-bred colt has three career wins from five starts with $28,504 in earnings. He is out of Little Kool Barbie by Mr Jess Perry.

CLICK HERE for complete details on the $97,375 Prairie Meadows Gold Derby trials, including horse, sex, sire, dam, dam sire, owner, breeder, trainer and jockey.