M E Kool Carter and jockey Eric Ayala win the $35,800 Idaho Cup Derby Finals at Pocatello Downs on May 25.

© Pocatello Downs

By Emily Paulk, StallioneSearch

POCATELLO, ID–MAY 25, 2026–M E Kool Carter and jockey Eric Ayala delivered a strong performance to win the $35,800 Idaho Cup Derby Finals at Pocatello Downs on Sunday, covering the 350 yards in :17.700 seconds while earning a 96 speed index. The Idaho-bred derby was contested over a fast track under clear skies with a five mile-per-hour crosswind.

A homebred for Dave Merritt and Kim Newman, the brown gelding is trained by Jarrett Mills. Sired by champion Carters Cartel and out of the winning One Sweet Jess mare Kool Sweet Jess, M E Kool Carter improved his career record to 8-4-1-1 with earnings of $37,232 after collecting the $14,320 winner’s share of the purse.

The gelding entered the race off consecutive victories and previously finished second in the Elko Intermountain Futurity and third in the Idaho Cup Futurity.

RTM Hot Milk and jockey Jose Figueroa finished second after showing early speed, posting a 94 speed index in :17.798 seconds. Owned by RTM Stables LLC and trained by Mark Hanson, the filly was bred by Susan Hanson.

She is sired by Kiss My Hocks and out of the stakes-winning Chickie Cherry Cola mare RTM Say Your Prayers. RTM Hot Milk now holds a record of 6-4-1-1 with earnings of $36,325 after previously winning the Idaho Cup Futurity.

Cartell Prince and jockey Elmer Castillo finished third for owners and breeders Cinda and Rod Thomas. Trained by Luis Gomez, the gelding earned an 83 speed index after completing the distance in :18.169 seconds despite breaking inward at the start.

Sired by Big Daddy Cartel and out of the Freighttrain B mare Lil Orange Princess, Cartell Prince now has a record of 6-0-1-4 and was previously a finalist in the Idaho Cup Futurity.

Redmann finished fourth and was followed by Chicks Favorite Five, Hes Pullin Gs, Cartels Speedo, Bobs Speedysaintjess, and Emperador Moctezuma. M E Dulce This was scratched from the field.

The $6,500 Idaho Cup Derby Consolation was won by Louisianas Best and jockey Raphael Romero for owner and trainer Alex Romero. Bred by Dabid Romero-Tapia, the filly is sired by Louisiana Jambalaya and out of the Dale Badon mare La Choriada. The victory came in just her second career start.

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