Flying Rocco Fastest In Sweetwater Downs Derby Trials

Flying Rocco continued his winning ways Saturday at Sweetwater Downs, posting the fastest qualifying time for the $75,000-added Sweetwater Downs Derby.

Five 400-yard trials were contested to determine the 10 fastest qualifiers who will return for the September 5 final.

Flying Rocco, coming off a victory in the KC Carden Wyoming Bred Derby, won the fourth trial by a neck over Make It Rayne while stopping the timer in :19.862, the fastest clocking of the afternoon. The sorrel gelding broke sharply, quickly established th advantage and held off Make It Rayne's late bid.

Cesar T. Moreno rode Flying Rocco for trainer Uriel Lucero Dominguez and owner-breeder J. P. Sample. The Wyoming-bred son of leading sire Flying Cowboy 123 is out of This Chicks A Queen, by Looking For Chicks.

Flying Rocco has now won seven of 13 career starts with one second and one third and earnings of $122,084. In addition to winning the KC Carden Wyoming Bred Derby in his previous start, he finished second in the Wyoming Bred Futurity. He was also a finalist in the 307HR Wyoming Bred Derby, Ron Cook Wyoming Bred Futurity, and WABRA Wyoming Bred Futurity.

Terry Mesu turned in the second-fastest qualifying time when he captured the opening Derby trial in :19.881. The sorrel gelding broke on top and controlled the race throughout, holding Glocketta off by a neck at the wire.

Juan Pulido rode Terry Mesu for owner-trainer Oscar Jamie Diaz. Bred in Texas by Bobby D. Cox, the son of leading sire Favorite Cartel is out of Jess A Sweetie, by Apollitical Jess. Terry Mesu was a $87,000 purchase at the 2024 Heritage Place Yearling Sale.

The 3-year-old has won four of nine career starts with one second and two thirds while earning $38,294. He also finished fourth in the Los Alamitos 2 Million Juvenile Stakes.

Make It Rayne posted the third-fastest qualifying time. The gelding finished second to Flying Rocco in trial four, beaten a neck in :19.897 after making a steady late bid.

Jacob Cardenas rode Make It Rayne for trainer Jess R. Matt and owners Daisy Carlson and Linda Goggins. Robicheaux Ranch Inc. bred the Louisiana-bred son of Cyber Monday from Runawa Renee, by Mr Jess Perry. Make It Rayne was a $30,000 purchase at the 2024 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale.

CLICK HERE for a complete list of qualifiers with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, and jockeys.

The $25,000-added Sweetwater Downs Derby Consolation (not black type) will also be contested on Saturday, September 5. For those horses, CLICK HERE.

Editor’s note: A photo of the fastest qualifier will be posted when it becomes available from the track photographer.

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