Sweet Fire Wes won the $53,200 AQRA Presidents Open Spring Derby on Monday.

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PHOENIX, AZ—MARCH 131, 2025—Fastest qualifier Sweet Fire Wes returned to Turf Paradise on Monday to win the $53,200 AQRA Presidents Open Spring Derby.

Under jockey Jacob Enriquez, Sweet Fire Wes cleared the field late on the way to a one-length victory while clocking 350 yards in 17.361 seconds, a 102-speed index into a six mph crosswind.

Trainer Adolfo Armendariz Celaya saddled the daughter of multiple stakes sire Panama Wes to his fifth career win in eight starts for owner-breeder Fernando Canales. Bred from the One Sweet Jess mare Sheza Sweet Fire, Sweet Fire Wes earned $26,660 to increase her bankroll to $79,209.

The bay filly won the AQRA Futurity at Turf Paradise last December and was a finalist in the Desert Classic Futurity and the Desert Classic Derby.

Runner-up Rompe Corazonez drifted under jockey Jose Lopez and couldn't gain any ground to earn $10,640 for second. Trainer Rigoberto Guillen saddled the California-bred daughter of leading sire Corona Cartel for owner-breeder Balgo Racing Team, Inc. Winner of last year's AQRA Turf Paradise Presidents Open Futurity Invitational, Rompe Corazonez is out of the Okey Dokey Dale mare Stars R Blue. She has earned $58,013.

Cd Favorite Lady finished a neck back under jockey Elias Gutierrez to pickup $5,320 for third. Havid Canez trains the Favorite Cartel filly for owner CD Horses, Inc. Cesar Dabdoub bred the chestnut filly in California from the Mr Jess Perry mare Jessa Lady Cee. She has earned $20,658.

Bluffn You, Ihearthetrainarollin, Barbara, Heartlande, Rush My Hocks, Play Misty, and Makin Traxx completed the field.

Editor's note: A photo of this race will be posted when it becomes available from the track photographer.