Fastest qualifier In The Vee lived up to his billing Saturday afternoon, holding off a talented field to capture the $109,200 Young Ford/Wyoming Downs Derby for 3-year-olds at Wyoming Downs.

© Coady Media

By Emily Paulk, StallioneSearch

EVANSTON, WY—AUGUST 1, 2026–Fastest qualifier In The Vee lived up to his billing Saturday afternoon, holding off a talented field to capture the $109,200 Young Ford/Wyoming Downs Derby for 3-year-olds at Wyoming Downs.

Ridden by Jacob Cardenas, the Matt Jess trainee dueled from the outset before edging away to a half-length victory in :19.402 for the 400 yards, earning a stellar 108 speed index over a fast track.

Owned by Eddie Jensen and bred by Dan and Kim Lapierre, the gelding is by Junior June Bug out of the Brindis Por Cayenne mare Brindis Secret.

The victory improved his record to 14-9-2-1, while the $50,232 winner's share boosted his career earnings to $279,125.

Already an accomplished stakes performer, In The Vee entered the July 17 trials off a runner-up finish in the 307HR Wyoming Bred Derby and a fifth-place effort in the Dan Lockie Derby earlier this season. As a 2-year-old, he captured both the WABRA Wyoming Bred Futurity and the Bucking Horse Sale Futurity.

Tossin and Turnin finished a clear second under Juan Pulido, completing the distance in :19.471 with a 107 speed index.

Owned and trained by Oscar Diaz and bred by Jerry Chapman, the $60,000 TQHA Yearling Sale graduate is by champion Kiss My Hocks out of the winning Carters Cartel mare Queen Of The Kartel.

The gelding now sports a record of 9-2-2-2 with earnings of $72,504. His only previous stakes appearance came in last year's TQHA Sale Futurity (G1), where he finished fourth.

Spelling Bee rallied from off the pace to finish third by a nose under Cerapio Figueroa, stopping the clock in :19.756 while earning a 99 speed index.

Owned and trained by Alex Torres-Casas and bred by Edward C. Allred, the filly is by Fly Thru The Fire out of the Separate Interest mare Smarts.

She now has a record of 9-2-1-3 with earnings of $51,550 after adding another stakes placing to her résumé. Earlier this year, she was a finalist in the Spring Fling Stakes.

Ca Mental Cartel finished fourth and was followed by Heavenly Storm, Suspicious Eyes, Cyber Courage, Muscle Max, Mv Goldheart Foose, and Glocketta to complete the order of finish.

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