Alitlelesstalk, the 8-5 morning line favorite, headlines the opening AQRA Derby trial at Turf Paradise on April 1.

© Coady Media

By Stallionesearch / Louanne Wainscott

PHOENIX, AZ–March 30, 2026—The April Fools’ Day card at Turf Paradise sets the stage for an exciting afternoon of Quarter Horse racing, featuring an eight-race program highlighted by two AQRA Derby trial heats in the opening races. A total of seventeen sophomores will dash 350 yards, each aiming to secure one of the top ten qualifying times to advance to the $25,000-added AQRA Derby Finals on April 25.

In the first trial, Ralph and Carolyn Fales’ homebred Alitlelesstalk enters as the 8-5 morning line favorite and brings a proven résumé into the gate. The gelding captured both the Desert Classic Futurity and the Arizona QRA Futurity during his juvenile campaign and began his three-year-old season with a fourth-place effort in the Desert Classic Derby. With earnings of $81,547, he stands as one of the most accomplished runners in the field.

Sired by Tell Cartel and out of Jess One Looke by Jesse James Jr., Alitlelesstalk represents a strong blend of speed and consistency. Trainer Matthew M. Fales will send him out from post three with Oscar Andrade, Jr. in the irons, looking to stamp his authority early and secure a return trip to the finals.

The second trial features another compelling storyline, with Zm Jess listed as the 5-2 morning line favorite. The gelding enters off a breakthrough performance in the Desert Classic Derby, where he shed the maiden tag after recording four runner-up finishes. That victory pushed his earnings to $52,059 for owner Jose Juan Martinez and signaled a potential turning point in his career.

By Jess Different and out of Jess a Blue Tac by Jess Louisiana Blue, Zm Jess was bred in Arizona by Francisco Molina. Trainer Havid Canez will saddle the improving gelding from the outside post eight, with veteran rider Cerapio Figueroa set to guide him in what figures to be a competitive heat.

With seventeen three-year-olds set to contest the 350-yard trials, the margin for error will be razor-thin. Every stride will matter as these sophomores look to stop the clock in fast enough fashion to earn their place in the AQRA Derby Finals, where both emerging talent and established contenders will collide for top honors later this month.

The races at Turf Paradise can be watched on Q-Racing Video.

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