Im Jessa Diva and jockey Dakota Wood score a narrow victory in the $55,950 Dan Lockie Derby on May 16 at Miles City Bucking Horse Sale for owner-breeder Valerie Shoun and trainer Robert Don Johnson.

© Bucking Horse Sale

By Emily Paulk, Stallionesearch

MILES CITY, MT–MAY 16, 2026– Fourth-fastest qualifier Im Jessa Diva held off a furious late charge Saturday evening at Miles City Bucking Horse Sale to capture the $55,950 Dan Lockie Derby under jockey Dakota Wood.

Owned and bred by Valerie Shoun and trained by Robert Don Johnson, the sorrel filly covered the 300 yards in :15.384 while earning a 102 speed index over a fast track. The victory was worth $27,975 and increased her career bankroll to $43,370 from nine lifetime starts.

Breaking sharply from post five, Im Jessa Diva overcame a slight bump at the start, quickly made the lead, and held on gamely to win by a neck.

The daughter of TF Im That Guy is out of the winning Jess Eye mare Jess Dizzy Lizzy. She wrapped up her juvenile campaign with a victory in the Ft. Pierre South Dakota Bred Futurity and was also a finalist in last year’s Bucking Horse Sale Futurity. The filly now owns a 9-3-2-0 career mark.

Whose Da Boss rallied strongly late to finish second under jockey Kody Kellenberger for breeder-owner Billy Buchholz and trainer Robert Don Johnson.

The gelding brushed an inside rival shortly after the break before surging late and missing by only a neck while posting a :15.439 clocking and 99 speed index. The son of world champion sire FDD Dynasty is out of the winning mare Dynasty Time and now carries a 5-0-3-0 record with earnings of $14,368.

Still searching for his first stakes victory, Whose Da Boss was previously a finalist in last year’s Bucking Horse Sale Futurity Consolation.

Fastest qualifier Surfinoverthemoon completed the trifecta under jockey Jacob Cardenas after finishing strongly late and missing second by only a neck.

Bred by Walter Larson, the gelding stopped the timer in :15.450 while earning a 99 speed index for owner Lana Matt and trainer Jess Matt. The son of Corona Surfer is out of the stakes-winning Apollo (TB) mare Dashmetothemoon and now owns a 10-2-4-2 record with earnings of $38,125. He was previously fourth in the Energy Downs Futurity.

CA Mental Cartel finished fourth, followed by In The Vee, Kit Karsyn, RC Juliet, and MV Paint Me Jess to complete the order of finish.

Bucking Horse Sale Futurity Consolation
Earlier on the card, Cye Fun N Fancy remained undefeated with a victory in the $10,000 Bucking Horse Sale Futurity Consolation under jockey Kody Kellenberger.

The homebred gelding races for breeder-owner Justin Yates and is trained by Robert Johnson. The son of Pyc Fun N Fancy out of the Hez Advanced Class mare Ashleyshadow covered the 250 yards in :13.514 while earning a 93 speed index.

After breaking sharply, Cye Fun N Fancy secured a clean trip and was never seriously challenged en route to his second consecutive victory from as many starts.

The $65,000-estimated Bucking Horse Sale Futurity is scheduled as race eight on Sunday’s card at Miles City Bucking Horse Sale.

*Photos will be posted when available. 

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