Jockey Ramiro Garcia rode Mystic Paint to the fastest qualifying time in the Adequan Will Rogers Derby Challenge trials on Tuesday at Will Rogers Downs.

© Coady Photography

CLAREMORE, OK–SEPTEMBER 10, 2024–Bouncing off a fifth-place effort in the All American Derby trials in his last start, Grade 1 Ruidoso Derby runner-up Mystic Paint posted the fastest qualifying time for the Adequan Will Rogers Derby Challenge on Tuesday at Will Rogers Downs

The 10 fastest qualifiers from the three trial races contested today will return on Sunday, September 29, to compete for the winner's share of a $30,000-added purse at 400 yards.

Also in play is a starting spot in the $165,000-est Adequan Derby Challenge Championship (G3), which will be contested at The Downs at Albuquerque during the Bank of American Challenge Championship Night on October 26.

Jockey Ramiro Garcia rode Mystic Paint to a 1 3/4-length victory in the opening trial, posting the fastest clocking of 19.956 seconds, a 93-speed index into a 7 mph crosswind.

Leading trainer Jason Olmstead conditions the son of leading sire Pyc Paint Your Wagon for owner William Harned. Cavenaugh Quarter Horses LLC bred the brown colt in Oklahoma from the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess So Sixy.

Olmstead saddled three finalists, including second fastest Midnight Politics, a son of leading sire Apollitical Jess from the Ivory James mare Midnight Sunlight. Brenda Reiswig is the owner-breeder of the multiple graded stakes-placed earner of $281,056.

Ramiro Garcia rode the bay gelding to the second fastest clocking of 19.988 seconds, a 92-speed index into a 6 mph crosswind. He won by three-quarters as the post-time favorite.

CLICK HERE for the complete Adequan Will Rogers Derby Challenge list with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers, and jockeys.