Ojd Jess A Bug, ridden by Cristian Aguirre-Erives, wins the $100,000 Bitterroot Futurity [RG3] by two-lengths at Pocatello Downs on Friday.

© Pocatello Downs

POCATELLO, ID–JULY 26, 2024—The second fastest qualifier from the trials, Ojd Jess A Bug, showed off his speed with a gate-to-wire victory in the $100,000 Bitterroot Futurity [RG3] at Pocatello Downs on Friday.

Piloted by Cristian Aguirre-Erives, Ojd Jess A Bug scored an impressive two-length victory over Flybyby in :17.491 seconds. The son of One Sweet Jess clocked a 101 speed index, and the 350-yard effort paid $6.80 to win on 2/1 odds.

Jockey Jose Olivo piloted Flybyby to a game second, one length ahead of third-place finisher Notin Missing Here and jockey Julio De La Torre.

$40,000 went to Ojd Jess A Bug for the win, increasing his bankroll to $74,315. Trained by Pedro Robles, the bay gelding is now four for four in his freshman campaign, including the Hadley Giles Futurity victory at Weber Downs in May.

Karla and Oscar Jaime Dias bred and own Ojd Jess A Bug in Idaho out of the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Bugs Wagon.

Adrian Zavala, who paid $18,500 for Flybyby in this year's Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale, owns and trains him. He has a record of 1-2-1 from four starts and $25,375 in the bank, including a third-place finish in the Pocatello Downs Spring Classic Futurity. Arkofa Farm bred the daughter of Five Bar Cartel in Louisiana out of Apollitical Jess by Fly By You.

Breeder McColee Land and Livestock, LLC sold Notin Missing Here to her owner, Michael McKell, for $15,000 in the Heritage Place Yearling Sale last year. Trained by Sergio Canales, the Utah-bred filly has three wins from six starts and $30,205 in earnings. The daughter of Kvn Corona, the leading third-year sire of winners, is out of Missmerizing by Pyc Paint Your Wagon.

The remaining order of finish is Sweet Racy Eagle, Ruff An Rowdy, Luv Ya, M E Closing Time, and Go Tell Carter. Moonys Lil Flicka and Tell Em I Called were scratched.

Bitterroot Futurity Consolation

The $15,041 Bitterroot Futurity Consolation (not black type) was won by Heza Flashy Eagle, ridden by Julio De La Torre. The son of One Fabulous Eagle broke his maiden from four starts and boosted his earnings to $12,059 for owner Ron Cameron.

Heza Flashy Eagle clocked an 87 speed index in :17.943 seconds for his gate-to-wire victory of Eg Secret. The win paid $9.60 on 7/2 odds.

Royal Vista Ranches bred Heza Flashy Eagle in Oklahoma out of Flashy Moon Pie by First Moonflash. Sergio Canales conditions the sorrel gelding.

Eg Segret, Good Bet, La Iguana, Yr Baby Lew, Master Pyc M E Verystablegenius and Emyrson complete the order of finish. Quick As Jess and Special Buddy Bc were scratched.

Editor's note: As soon as the track photographer releases a photo of this race, it will be posted with this article.