Freighttrain King (outside) battles Valentino Pete (inside) for the fastest qualifying time to the $30,000-added Adequan Will Rogers Derby Challenge at Will Rogers Downs today.

© Coady Photography

CLAREMORE, OK–SEPTEMBER 13, 2022–Freighttrain King bounced off a troubled effort in his last start to get his first win this season today (Sep 13) while setting the fastest qualifying time for the Adequan Will Rogers Derby Challenge at Will Rogers Downs.

The 10 fastest qualifiers, from two trials, will return to Will Rogers Downs October 2nd to vie for the winner's share of a $30,000-added purse as well as earn a trip to the October 22nd $150,000 Adequan Derby Challenge Championship(G2) on Bank of America Challenge Championship Night.  

Under jockey Daniel Torres Freighttrain King battled to a head win over Valentino Pete to get the fastest qualifying time of :20.067 seconds, a 90 speed index, into a 5 mph headwind. It was the third career win for the son of world champion sire Freighttrain B.

Trainer Shawn Manriquez saddled the bay gelding for owner-breeder Martin Olmedo Lopez. Bred in Colorado, from the Dean Miracle mare Sheza Miracle Chico, Freighttrain King has banked $48,721 in 15 starts.  He was a won the Albuquerque Juvenile Stakes at 2 and was a finalist in the Grade 3 Oklahoma Derby earlier this year.

Runner-up Valentino Pete held on to the second fastest time of :20.079 seconds for owner-breeders Robert and Stacey Martin.  Tammy Kay Johnson named jockey Cody Smith to ride the Hes Relentless gelding.

The Texas homebred, out of Mystical Eye by Mr Eye Opener, has earned $11,066 in 12 starts. He was a finalist in the John Deere Will Rogers Juvenile Challenge last year.

For the complete list of Adequan Will Rogers Derby Challenge qualifiers with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

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

For more information about the upcoming Will Rogers Downs meet visit www.oqhra.com.