Ojd Jess A Bug is one of 13 three-year-olds entered in the Idaho Cup Derby on Sunday at Pocatello Downs.

© Gene Wilson & Associates

by Louanne Wainscott, StallioneSearch.com

POCATELLO, ID—MAY 4, 2025–Pocatello Downs will host five trial races for three-year-olds on Sunday, showcasing the $20,000 estimated Idaho Cup Derby trials and the $10,000 added Gary & Sherilyn Blattner Memorial Open Derby trials.

Races two and three on Sunday’s card are set for the Idaho Cup Derby trials with 13 head entered. Ojd Jess A Bug, who is undefeated from six starts, earning $137,515, is one of the sophomores featured in the group.

Ojd Jess A Bug won the Hadley/Giles Futurity, Bitterroot Futurity (G3), and the Sweetwater Downs Futurity in 2024. The son of champion sire One Sweet Jess competes in the second trial for owners Karla Diaz Gomez and Oscar Jaime Diaz.

Ojd Jess A Bug is conditioned by Javier Fuentes and ridden by Jorge W. Garcia.

The first trial features morning line favorite Good Bet, a son of The Louisiana Cartel, who also has an impressive racing record. He has lit the board five of six starts with two career wins, including his last out in the Idaho Bred Quarter Horse Futurity.

Good Bet is racing for owners RTM Stables, LLC, and Bryon Goody. He is conditioned by Mark Hanson and ridden by Jesus Virgen.

Races 5 through 7 will feature the Gary & Sherilyn Blattner Memorial Open Derby trials, featuring 21 entries for a distance of 350 yards.

Mr Royal Cartel is the morning line favorite in the first trial, Race 5, bred and owned by Ismael Villarreal. He is a gelding sired by The Cartel Hawk and is conditioned by Hector Magallanes.

Mr Royal Cartel was the winner of the Far West Futurity in 2024. The sorrel gelding out of Miss Royal Rumble by Royal Shake Em drew position six and will be ridden by Jaime E. Lopez.

Heza Flashy Eagle is competing in the final trial of Race 7, aiming to secure a spot among the ten fastest horses. The son of One Fabulous Eagle is owned by Ron Cameron and trained by Sergio Canales. He will be ridden by Jesus Canales, starting from post position number seven.

The top ten fastest from each set of trials will return to the respective finals on May 25.

*******************

Would you like more industry news delivered directly to your inbox? Click here to sign up.