The Greek Freek Tops Canada QH Cup Derby Qualifiers at Century Mile

Train by a head Saturday to post the fastest qualifying time from two trials for the $37,486(CAN) Canada QH Cup Derby at Century Mile Racetrack.

The 10 fastest 3-year-olds from the 400-yard trials advanced to the Canada QH Cup Derby final, scheduled for September 12 at the Edmonton racetrack.

The Greek Freek stopped the timer in :20.012 while winning the opening trial by a head over Jess The Train. After racing just off the early leader, the son of five-time world champion sire FDD Dynasty engaged Jess The Train in a stretch duel and narrowly prevailed. Both horses earned a 101 speed index while racing into a 20 mph crosswind.

Wesley T. Oulton trains The Greek Freek for owner Austin Watterson, and Silvino Morales had the riding assignment. Bred in Oklahoma by Andy Knight and Austin Watterson, the bay gelding is by from the Favorite Trick mare Girl Trick Mv.

The Greek Freek has won three of 10 career starts and earned $24,976. His résumé includes a fourth-place finish in the Adequan Century Mile Derby Challenge and a finalist appearance in the All Canadian Derby.

Jess The Train secured the second-fastest qualifying time of :20.023 after finishing a head behind The Greek Freek. The filly by world champion sire Freighttrain B broke sharply and held the early advantage before being outfinished in the final strides.

Buckey A. Stockwell trains Jess The Train for owners Commotion Creek Contracting and WT Ranches, Ltd., with Amador Hernandez aboard. Bob McClure bred the filly in Texas from the Feature Mr Jess mare Jess Ballin The Jack.

A winner of three of nine career starts with two seconds and a third, Jess The Train has earned $27,060. She won the All Canadian Derby, finished third in the Horsemen's Division 1 Derby and was a finalist in the Canada Cup Futurity (G3) and Adequan Century Mile Derby Challenge.

She My Dulce Girl turned in the third-fastest qualifying performance when she captured the second trial in :20.027. The black daughter of Dulce Sin Tacha gained command during the stretch and held Hot Cerveza safe by a half-length. The chart notes that She My Dulce Girl broke outward into Hot Cerveza, with the stewards reviewing the stretch run and leaving the order of finish unchanged.

Misael Moreno conditions She My Dulce Girl for owner Ralph E. Danard, and Daniel Tavares was aboard. Tami Mai bred the Alberta-bred filly, who is out of the Jet Black Patriot mare Cash Cartel Patriot.

She My Dulce Girl has compiled four wins, one second and two thirds from eight career starts while earning $26,997. She previously finished third in the Sale Stakes Futurity and All Canadian Derby.

The Greek Freek's :20.012 led the qualifiers, followed closely by Jess the Train in :20.023 and She My Dulce Girl in :20.027. Hot Cerveza was next at :20.093, followed by O Sawyer (:20.458), One Tough Cerveza (:20.487), Wagon Burner 109 (:20.594), Lethal N Rojo (:20.761), and Clear Cerveza (:21.306). West Southwest did not finish the opening trial after stumbling at the start and losing his rider.

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

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