Sugar Rushh, ridden by Luis Valanzuela, wins the $48,000 Minnesota Quarter Horse Derby on Saturday at Canterbury Park.

© Coady Media

SHAKOPEE, MN–AUGUST 31, 2024–Three-time stakes winner Sugar Rushh steadily gained the lead and crossed the wire 1 1/2 lengths ahead of the field on Saturday in the $48,000 Minnesota Quarter Horse Derby at Canterbury Park.

Sent off at 2-1 odds under the guidance of jockey Armando Alvidrez, Sugar Rushh clocked an 87-speed index in 20.252 seconds. The post-time favorite's 400-yard victory paid $3.80 to win.

Averys Treasure, ridden by Luis Valenzuela, was first out of the gates and dueled for the finish line but was caught at the wire for second. Relentless Minnie, piloted by Randy Vega, followed in a 1/2-length behind for third.

The winning connections of Sugar Rushh accept the $48,000 Minnesota Quarter Horse Derby trophy at Canterbury Park on Saturday. © Coady Media

Leading trainer Jason Olmstead saddled Sugar Rushh for owner Summer Run Inc. The $21,600 winner's share of the purse increased his lifetime earnings to $64,846, improving his record to three wins from 11 starts.

The son of One Fabulous Eagle won his first out of the season in the North Star State Derby and placed third in the Canterbury Park Derby. He also won the North Star State Futurity last year, placed third in the Minnesota Futurity, and was a finalist in the MQHRA Stallion Auction Futurity.

Darling Farms bred Sugar Rushh out of the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Candy Coated Paint.

Olmstead saddled runner-up Averys Treasure for owner-breeder Lunderborg LLC. The winning son of Moonin The Eagle placed second in the North Star State Derby and was a finalist in four other stakes races with $37,017 in earnings. He is out of Bbs Pyc Luckycharm by Pyc Paint Your Wagon.

Summer Run Inc. also owns third-place finisher, Relentless Minnie. Tom Maher bred the multiple-winning son of Hes Relentless out of Valiant Filly by Valiant Hero. He has a record of 2-3-3 from ten starts with $50,308 in earnings, including second in the North Star State Futurity and third in the MQHRA Stallion Auction Futurity.

Misstic Coronita, Saturday Nite Gamble, Redhotmama, Hes Comin N Hot, Streak N Quartz, Kqs Dreaming, and One New Year Boy Fly complete the order of finish.