Relentless Rocket is one of 36 three-year-olds entered in the Prairie Meadows Gold Derby trials on Monday.

© Coady Media

By Louanne Wainscott, StallioneSearch

ALTOONA, IA–JUNE 20, 2025—AA strong field of 36 promising 3-year-old Quarter Horses will take center stage on Monday evening at Prairie Meadows for the Prairie Meadows Gold Derby Trials. Four evenly matched heats (races 2 through 5) will determine the top ten fastest qualifiers for the $100,000-added Prairie Meadows Gold Derby Final, scheduled for Sunday, July 13, 2025.

Each of the four trials will feature a full field of nine starters and are loaded with class, including stakes winners, graded finalists, and several top pedigrees that promise an exciting showdown under the lights.

Race 2 – Trial 1: CT Walking Thru Headlines a Strong Opening Heat
The action begins in Race 2 with the well-regarded CT Walking Thru installed as the 5-2 morning line favorite. A filly with class and early talent, CT Walking Thru was last seen winning the 2024 Prairie Meadows Gold Futurity and has earned $107,364 from just five starts. Bred in Texas by Gary & Linda Gordon, the daughter of Favorite Cartel out of Jess Walking Thru makes her seasonal debut for owner Paul Tonderum and trainer Alex Wessels, with Miguel J. Ramirez set to ride from post four.

Looking to challenge her is Curlie D (3-1), a daughter of Uncle D from the barn of Jason L. Olmstead, who will saddle a remarkable 16 horses across all four trials. Curlie D, owned and bred by Cavenaugh Quarter Horses, LLC, brings in two wins and $93,713 in earnings, including a berth in the Remington Park Oklahoma Bred Oaks finals earlier this spring.

Race 3 – Trial 2: Relentless Rocket Returns with Stakes Pedigree
The second trial features one of the most accomplished entries of the evening in Relentless Rocket, the 2-1 favorite. The Hes Relentless gelding captured both the Northlands Futurity and Valley Junction Juvenile last year and has racked up $79,286 in earnings. Bred in South Dakota by Tom and Bill Maher, Relentless Rocket will again team up with Ramiro H. Garcia for trainer Jason L. Olmstead, breaking from post nine in turquoise silks.

Kool Dynasty (3-1), trained by Stacy Charette-Hill, looms as the main threat. The filly by Lil Kool Wagon begins her 2025 campaign here after a productive juvenile season. Owned and bred by Vickie Tebow and Bill Robbins, she breaks from post eight with Cristian R. Esqueda aboard.

Race 4 – Trial 3: Flying Bandida Leads Competitive Group
Heat three, brings together another highly capable group, led by Flying Bandida, who has earned $126,379 for owners Shari Burger and Vickie McBee. The daughter of Flying Cowboy 123 started her 2025 season strong, qualifying for both the Remington Park Oklahoma Bred Oaks and the Heritage Place Oaks (G2). Despite some tough racing luck in the latter, she remains a legitimate threat. Ramiro H. Garcia retains the mount for trainer Jason L. Olmstead.

At 3-1, Kool Cowboy 123 is another notable Olmstead trainee, breaking from the outside post nine. Owned by Thomas J. Scheckel and Richard L. Tobin, the Flying Cowboy 123 colt has hit the board in both 2025 starts and picks up Armando Alvidrez in the saddle for the first time.

Race 5 – Trial 4: Relentless Pursuit and Flashin Dynamite to Duel in Final Heat
The final trial features a pair of promising contenders, starting with Relentless Pursuit (3-1), a Charles and Elizabeth Horton homebred. The Hes Relentless gelding had some rough trips this year but still managed to qualify for the Heritage Place Derby (G2) and boasts $105,505 in career earnings. He will be piloted again by Ramiro H. Garcia for trainer Jason L. Olmstead.

Looking to spoil the party is Flashin Dynamite, a daughter of First Moonflash trained by Manuel Mojica Campos. Owned by David P. Morehead, she has run consistently well, placing in her trial and earning a spot in the Oklahoma Bred Oaks finals earlier this season. Alfredo Triana, Jr., who’s won two aboard her, gets the return call.

Only the ten fastest times across the four trials will earn a spot in the Prairie Meadows Gold Derby Final, set for Sunday, July 13, and with $100,000 on the line. First post for Monday’s card is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CDT. Trials will run as races 2 through 5.

All Prairie Meadows races can be seen at Q-Racing Video.com.

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