Ojd Jess A Bug, under jockey Cristian Aguirre-Erives, setting the fastest qualifying time for the Hadley Giles Futurity on Saturday at Weber Downs.

© Kira Jo Harris

OGDEN, UT–MAY 4, 2024–Ojd Jess A Bug broke his maiden in impressive fashion on Saturday while rocketing to the top qualifying time for the Hadley-Giles Futurity at Weber Downs.

The 10 fastest qualifiers, from the seven trial races contested today, will return to the Ogden, Utah racetrack on Sunday, May 19, to vie for the winner's share of a $73,154 purse going 330 yards.

Ojd Jess A Bug flew from the gate under jockey Cristian Aguirre-Erives and widened his lead with every stride to win by 2-1/2 lengths. His :16.814 clocking for 330 yards, into a 5 mph crosswind, equaled a 95 speed index and was the fastest on the day.

Pedro Robles Rivas trains the son of multiple stakes sire One Sweet Jess for owner-breeders Karla Diaz-Gomez and Oscar Diaz. Bred in Idaho, from the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Bugs Wagon, Ojd Jess A Bug earned $1,500 of the $3,000 trial purse for his first win.

Another first-time starter, Rj Spicer, got his first career win to post the second fastest clocking of :17.035 seconds, an 88 speed index into a 5 mph crosswind. The son of champion sire The Louisiana Cartel was a gate-to-wire winner under jockey Jesus Valenzuela.

Kylie Valenzuela trains the Utah-bred gelding for owner Jose Rico.  William Nolan bred Rj Spicer from the Walk Thru Fire mare Fearless Fire.

Valenzuela saddled three qualifiers to the futurity final.

For a complete list of Giles-Hadley Futurity qualifiers, with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers, and jockeys CLICK HERE.