Special Buddy leads the opening Maiden Frolic Stakes Trial Saturday at Weber Downs, headlining a group of 29 maidens chasing a berth in the May 30 final.

© Weber Downs

By Stallionesearch / Louanne Wainscott
 

OGDEN, UT–May 5, 2026—A competitive and opportunity-filled afternoon awaits at Weber Downs as Saturday’s ten-race program kicks off at noon, blending early schooling races with a strong slate of afternoon trials that will shape the upcoming stakes finals. With developing talent and proven contenders lining up, the card promises a mix of anticipation, redemption, and breakout performances.

The first three races will feature schooling events, giving young runners valuable experience before the focus shifts to the afternoon’s main attraction, the Maiden Frolic Stakes Trials. Beginning in race four and continuing through race seven, twenty-nine maidens will dash 330 yards starting at approximately 1:30 PM, all chasing a spot among the ten fastest qualifiers who will advance to the May 30th final.

In the opening trial, Special Buddy steps forward as a hard-knocking contender ready to break through. The four-year-old gelding has consistently been in the mix, recording three second-place and three third-place finishes, and appears poised to finally secure his maiden victory.

Owned and bred in Utah by Ben L. McKinney, he is by Flay out of Whata Doll Bc. Trainer Wes Kellett will send him from the rail with Gerado Vera aboard, looking to turn persistence into a winning result.

Another intriguing contender appears in race six as Bf Candyrageous lines up in the second trial heat. The lightly raced three-year-old gelding has shown promise in limited starts, finishing on the board in both appearances, including a solid third in the Hadley Giles Futurity. With $9,125 already earned for owners RTM Stables, LLC, and Goody Bryon, who purchased him for $36,000 at the Heritage Place Sale, he enters with upside and momentum.

Sired by Jess Good Candy out of Bf Fooserageous, the Utah-bred will break from post two under Jose A. Figueroa for trainer Mark Hanson.

These maiden ranks are filled with hungry runners looking to make their mark, and with finals berths on the line, every stride will matter as the field narrows to the top ten qualifiers.

The action continues in races eight and nine with the Golden Spike Derby Trials, where eleven sophomores will compete in two heats at 350 yards. With only one runner set to be eliminated, the pressure intensifies as the field looks to secure a return trip for the May 30th final.

The spotlight in the derby division lands on Hez Gifted, who will compete in the ninth race, the final trial heat. The three-year-old gelding brings a strong résumé into the race, having won four of nine starts while also qualifying to both the Beehive Futurity and the Wyoming Downs Futurity, compiling earnings of $43,561.

Bred and owned in Utah by Michael K. McKells, he is by Genetically Gifted out of Girl Like. Trainer Sergio Canales will saddle the gelding from the rail, with his brother, jockey Jesus J. Canales, set to guide him as they look to stamp their authority on the division.

With a full lineup of developing maidens seeking their breakthrough and accomplished sophomores chasing derby glory, Weber Downs delivers a card packed with purpose and potential. As the gates open and the trials unfold, Saturday’s racing will define the contenders and set the tone for an exciting run toward the May 30th finals.

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