Wicked Cowgirl Smart, ridden by Luis Valenzuela, goes wire-to-wire for the win in the $65,100 AQRA President's Open Spring Derby at Turf Paradise on Monday.

© Coady Photography

PHOENIX, AZ– MARCH 25, 2024–Fastest qualifier from the trials Wicked Cowgirl Smart returns to the winner's circle Monday afternoon for the $65,100 AQRA President's Open Spring Derby at Turf Paradise.

Piloted by Luis Valenzuela, Wicked Cowgirl Smart kept the lead from wire-to-wire winning by 1 1/2-lengths in :17.554 seconds, clocking a 96 speed index. The post-time favorite's victory paid $3.60 to win on 4/5 odds.

Wicked Cowgirl Smart remains undefeated for the 2024 season after her second win with the $33,450 earnings from the purse increasing her bankroll to $66,737. The three-year-old filly has lit the board five of seven starts win four career victories, including the Fred Scanes Stakes at Los Alamitos last year.

The winning connections of Wicked Cowgirl Smart accept the $65,100 AQRA President's Open Spring Derby trophy at Turf Paradise on Monday. © Coady Photography

J Lazy Six Racing bred and owns Wicked Cowgirl Smart in Arizona out of the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Df I Aint Jo Wagon. The daughter of Flying Cowboy 123 is trained by Leonel Gonzalez.

Relentlesscharger, ridden by Noe Garcia Jr, followed Wicked Cowgirl Smart from the gate for second best. Conditioned by James Crotts, the son of Hes Relentless has yet to break his maiden from three starts and has $14,690 in lifetime earnings.

Breeder Kirk Goodfellow of Dreams Come True Ranch sold Relentlesscharger for $70,000 to David and Mary Ann Lujan in the 2022 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale. The three-year-old Texas-bred gelding is out of Unfinished Biz by Captain Courage.

My Favorite Spirit, with Aaron Belloc in the irons, took a light bump in the gates and placed third half a length behind Relentlesscharger. Owner Alex Torres-Casas also trains the son of Apollitical Spirit.

With three seconds and three thirds from nine starts, the three-year-old gelding has $24,415 in lifetime earnings. My Favorite Spirit was bred in Oklahoma by Alejandra Rodriguez out of My Favorite Legacy by Favorite Cartel.

Mr Chiles, Whitewing Corona, Pikazo, Arispa Rojo, Dashin Hocks, Ribbon Train and Basking round out the order of finish.