Multiple stakes winner Ojd Jess A Bug will head strong group in five trials for the $75,000-added Energy Downs Derby in five trials Sunday at Enerugy Downs 307 Racing.

© Kira Jo Samargis

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

GILLETTE, WY—MAY 23, 2025—A full day of racing action awaits fans at Energy Downs 307 this Sunday, May 25, as the 2025 Energy Downs Derby Trials take center stage.

With six trial heats scheduled at 350 yards each, the ten fastest qualifiers will earn a place in the $75,000-added Derby final set for June 8.

Several well-bred and battle-tested contenders headline their respective divisions, promising a fiercely competitive afternoon.

In the opening heat, Race 2, two accomplished runners lead the charge. Dnc Dynasty, the 5-2 morning line favorite, enters with seven starts to his name and earnings of $17,129.

Bred and owned by W3 Farms LLC in Utah, the sorrel gelding by Duponte out of Dinastia Rose has consistently competed in stakes company, including a close third-place effort in the Utah Bred Derby. He is trained by Sergio Canales and will be ridden by Jose J. Olivo.

Joining him in that first trial is the 3-1 second choice, Dm Nite Hawk, a gelding by Hawkeye out of Mountain Affair, bred by Donna Mushinski in Texas. With $64,567 in earnings and three wins from six starts, Dm Nite Hawk arrives with the credentials of a stakes winner of the Dan Lockie Derby at Miles City earlier this month.

Co-owner Brenda Guzman trains him and gets a return call from jockey David Jimenez.

Race 3 presents a wide-open trial where Mysterious Cartel, the 3-1 morning line favorite, stands out with career earnings of $50,885. Owned by Luis A. Gonzalez and trained by Luis H. Gonzalez, the Five Bar Cartel colt has hit the board in seven of nine starts, including a runner-up finish in the Grade 3 Bitterroot Futurity last season.

His primary challenger is Brindisdream, listed at 9-2. The daughter of Dreamnon, bred in Colorado by Jesus Medina and owned by Eduardo Gandara Perez, is a perfect 2-for-2 at Energy Downs and brings a home-track advantage into Sunday’s effort.

A marquee matchup shapes up in Race 4, where undefeated standout Ojd Jess A Bug headlines the third trial. Installed as the 7-2 favorite, the Idaho-bred gelding by One Sweet Jess has amassed an impeccable seven-for-seven record and $138,415 in earnings.

He is owned and bred by Karla Diaz-Gomez and Oscar Diaz and trained by Javier Fuentes. With David Alvarez set to ride, the gelding’s recent 103 speed index performance at Sweetwater Downs is among the highest in the trials.

Looking to upset him is A Jazzy Tres Seis, a filly by Tres Seis trained by Sergio Canales. The Utah-bred has earned over $32,000 and won the Utah Bred QH Derby in his last start at Weber Downs.

In Race 5, Lomax, the 3-1 favorite, enters with the top credentials in his division. The Ivory James colt, owned by Tom Maher and trained by Tyler Stein, has three wins from eight starts and earnings of $36,495. His main rival, Axle D, shows up again here after being entered in multiple trials. The Uncle D gelding has been ultra-consistent and has earned $52,274 under the training of Joe Davis.

Race 6 is one of the more evenly matched heats. Kaseys Spirit brings the top last-race speed figure of 81, making him a logical favorite, while Gh Fabulous Version has been stakes-placed and shows solid form for trainer Chris Goodrich.

The final trial of the day, Race 7, features Rj Spicer as the early 5-1 choice. The gelding by The Louisiana Cartel owns a remarkable five wins from eight starts, including stakes victories at Oneida County. Trained by Kylie Valenzuela, he is expected to put in another competitive showing under jockey Jesus Valenzuela.

Axle D reappears as a top contender, depending on scratchings, with connections possibly weighing the best path to the final.

From established stakes stars to up-and-coming regional talents, the 2025 Energy Downs Derby Trials promise top-class Quarter Horse racing action.

With coveted berths in the June 8 final on the line, the trials will provide fans with a preview of the division’s emerging stars.