Jockey Mario Delgado drives Two Two 22 past Ketzal to capture the $53,014 Adequan Will Rogers Derby Challenge on Sunday.

© Jack Coady Photography

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

CLAREMORE, OK–SEPTEMBER 28, 2025–Two Two 22 showed grit and determination in Sunday’s $53,014 Adequan Will Rogers Derby Challenge, closing with a furious late kick to earn his first career stakes victory.

Despite hopping from the gates and losing ground early, the bay gelding dug in under jockey Mario Delgado to chase down Ketzal at the wire, scoring by a half-length. He stopped the clock for the 400-yard distance in 19.616 seconds, earning a 102 speed index. The effort rewarded his backers with $15.80 to win on 6-1 odds

Owned by West Texas Racing Partners and trained by Michael Joiner, Two Two 22 has now compiled a record of 12 starts, 3 wins, 2 seconds, and 2 thirds. The winning effort delivered $24,387 to his connections and boosted his total earnings of $74,764.

The winning connections of Two Two 22 accept the $53,014 Adequan Will Rogers Derby Challenge trophy at Will Rogers Downs on Sunday. © Jack Coady Photography

Bred in Oklahoma by Bill T. Robbins, he is a son of Flying Cowboy 123 and out of the Valiant Hero mare Dash and Sass. The $100,000 Ruidoso Yearling Sale purchase had previously run second in the Texas Classic Juvenile Stakes and was a finalist in the Ruidoso Invitational. Sunday’s victory marked his breakthrough on the big stage.

Ketzal, stumbled badly leaving the gates but quickly regained his stride, flashing speed to take the lead at the first call. Under jockey Juan Pulido, he was game throughout but could not resist the winner’s late rally, settling for second.

A $39,000 repurchase at the 2023 Heritage Place Yearling Sale, the son of Pyc Paint Your Wagon was bred in Texas by Nove Racing LLC out of Miss Andalusia, by Apollitical Jess.

He races for owner Javier Rubio and is trained by Heber Deyta-Melendez. With 12 career starts, Ketzal has one win, three seconds, and two thirds with $26,327 in the bank. His runner-up finish here gave him his first black type score.

Bottle It Up showed early energy but was eclipsed by the top two and finished third under jockey Francisco Calderon. The sorrel gelding by Tempting Dash is out of Poppin Bottles (TB), by New Year’s Day (TB).

He is bred owned by Brian Levings and conditioned by trainer Jed Vane. From 12 career starts, Bottle It Up has two wins, three seconds, and three thirds, with total earnings of $78,461.

His résumé includes a runner-up effort in the John Deere AQHA Juvenile Challenge Championship-G2, a second in the Los Alamitos Juvenile Challenge Stakes, and a fourth-place finish in the PCQHRA Breeders’ Futurity-G2.

Completing the order of finish were Razor Hawk Cartel in fourth, followed by Four Sweet Kid, Haughty Vaquero, Braven, Bv King of Denial, Jess Spicey Z, and Favorite Princess.

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