CLAREMORE, OK—OCTOBER 24, 2020—With a late surge under jockey Cristian Esqueda, Chicks With Coronas stuck her neck in front of Cajun King to post the fastest qualifying time for the Speedhorse Derby Saturday afternoon at Will Rogers Downs.

The 10 fastest qualifiers, from two trial races contested today, will return to Will Rogers Downs on Saturday, November 14th to vie for the winners' share of a $59,200 purse. The Speedhorse Derby,, normally scheduled to run in July at the Fair Grounds in Tulsa, was moved to Will Rogers this fall after inclement weather caused the trials to be canceled last summer.

Saddled by trainer Casey Black, Chicks With Coronas completed her 350 yard task in :17.681 seconds, equaling a 93 speed index into a 10 mph crosswind. It was the second consecutive win for the daughter of Apollticial Blood.

Sharon Hafliger and R.J. Ziegler own the brown filly out of Cache Corona by Coronas Leaving You. Jim and Natalie Montgomery bred the $31,928 earner in Louisiana.

Runner-up Cajun King held on for the second fastest clocking of :17.715 seconds. Trainer Eddie D. Willis named Jimmy Brooks to ride the son of champion sire The Louisiana Cartel for owner-breeder Abel Flores.

Winner of the Oklahoma Horsemen's Association Mystery Futurity(RG3) last season, Cajun King has won three of 11 starts and earned $12,724. He is out of the Scrutinizer mare Easydoesitcindy.

Valiant Memorie, under jockey Justine Klaiber, won the second trial by a nose over Jess Vamoose to get the fourth fastest time of :17.939 seconds. Also trained by Willis, the Valiant Hero filly is an Oklahoma home-bred racing for owner-breeder Ed Melzer. Out of the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Painted Memorie, Valiant Memorie has earned $36,486.

For the complete list of Speedhorse Derby qualifiers, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

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Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs is located 3 miles east of Claremore on Highway 20. For more information, visit www.cherokeecasino.com and click on the Will Rogers Downs tab, or call (918) 283-8800.

For additional information visit CLICK HERE to visit the track's website.