AURORA, CO—JUNE 24, 2016—Arapahoe Derby Challenge winner Air Force Won rolled to a 1˝-length trial win Friday afternoon while setting the top qualifying time for the Rocky Mountain Derby at Arapahoe Park. The 10 fastest qualifiers, from six trials for 3-year-olds conducted over 350 yards, will return to Arapahoe Park Saturday, July 9th and vie for the winner's share of a $99,150 purse.

After an awkward start under jockey Ramiro Garcia, Air Force Won completed the 350 yards in :17.468 seconds, a 103 speed index into a 10 mph headwind, to set the top qualifying mark.

The son of champion Ketel Won was the fastest of four finalists saddled by trainer Alejandro Chavez. Vences Quarter Horses own the sorrel New Mexico-bred out of Forced To Win, by Major Rime. Bred by Hughes Donaldson Horse Company, Air Force Won has compiled a (10) 3-2-1 record and earned $30,824.

Silver Citizen (9-1) surprised heavy-favorite Three Olives N Smoke, in the first trial to win by a head and post the second fastest time of :17.536 seconds, a 97 speed index with a 5 mph crosswind.

Entering the trials off a May 29th allowance win, Miguel Pena trains the lightly raced son of Silver City (TB) for owner Santos Lopez. Bred in Texas by Clarence Scharbauer, Jr., Silver Citizen is out of the Special Effort mare Red Alarm. Jockey Fernando Camacho was aboard for only his seventh career start.

The aforementioned multiple stakes winner Three Olives N Smoke suffered only the third loss in his career but held for the third fastest time of :17.560. The son of Jess Louisiana Blue entered the race off a troubled fourth place effort in his last start, the Arapahoe Challenge Derby on June 4th.

The bay gelding is the fastest of three qualifiers for leading trainer John Hammes. Stormy Smith rode the Colorado-homebred for Margo Schares and partner Boyd Thomas. Out of the Corona Cartel mare Smokin Corona, last year's Cherry Creek Futurity and Rocky Mountain Futurity winner has earned $116,233.

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