Challenge


Suzes Dynasty Springs the Upset in the Adequan Pocatello Downs Derby Challenge
Suzes Dynasty, under jockey Joe Dominguez, winning the $47,592 Adequan Pocatello Downs Derby Challenge on Friday night.

© Kira Crook
Suzes Dynasty Springs the Upset in the Adequan Pocatello Downs Derby Challenge

POCATELLO, ID – JULY 8, 2022 – Multiple stakes winner Suzes Dynasty punched her ticket to the Challenge Championships with a big win in the $47,592 Adequan Pocatello Downs Derby Challenge on Friday night.

Suzes Dynasty ($29.60) and jockey Joe Dominguez broke sharply from the inside post and led by a narrow margin throughout the 400-yard race to win by a neck. With a final time of :19.725, Suzes Dynasty earned a 101 speed index.

Josh Taylor trains Suzes Dynasty for owner Bill Doenz. She was bred in Oklahoma by Flag Ranch LLC, out of the Mr Eye Opener mare Brown Eye Suze.

The win was her fifth in 12 starts. She was second in her trial as the second fastest qualifier from three trials on June 24. The FDD Dynasty filly has earned $66,500 in her career to date; last year, she won the Wyoming Downs Futurity and qualified to the Sweetwater Downs Futurity and the Rising C Equine Futurity in Gillette.

The winning connections of Suzes Dynasty accept the Adequan Derby Challenge stakes trophy at Pocatello Downs. © Kiri Crook

Fastest qualifier Conant Valley returned to finish second in the final. Jesus Valenzuela also returned to ride for trainer Riley Moosman and owner Keith Nellesen.

Conant Valley was bred in Utah by McColee Land & Livestock, LLC, by One Famous Eagle and out of Cluster of Stars, by Greeley’s Galaxy.

Conant Valley’s win streak of four races was snapped in the loss. The gelding is four for eight lifetime and won the Bnb Maiden Frolic at Weber last April.

Last year’s winner of the Crush the Curve Futurity and fifth fastest qualifier Radar finished third. Oscar Villa was in the irons for trainer Ramiro Fregoso and owner Vincente Treyes.

Radar is an Idaho-bred son of A Revenant, bred by Lee Rodgers and Raymond McGee out of the Snowbound mare Snow in My Corona.

Radar is four for seven lifetime and has earned 26,391. He won his trial for the Challenge, defeating Suzes Dynasty.

Completing the field were Honey Butte, B the One, The Secret Prize, Ms Famous Racy, Dr Toola, Empowered to Prosper and Eagle Assault.