Kr Cartels Calamity, under jockey Cesar T. Moreno, posted the fastest time from two trials contested today for the $30,000-added John Deere Emerald Downs Juvenile Challenge.

© Reed Palmer

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

AUBURN, WA—JULY 27, 2025—Kr Cartels Calamity emerged as the fastest qualifier from two trials held Sunday afternoon at Emerald Downs for the $30,000-added John Deere Emerald Downs Juvenile Challenge, setting the stage for an exciting final on Saturday, August 16, 2025.

The 2-year-old son of Five Bar Cartel, out of the Foose mare Kr Calamity, blazed to victory in the first 350-yard trial with a time of :18.180 under jockey Cesar T. Moreno, defeating his rivals with authority by three-quarters of a length.

Owned by Luis A. Gonzales and bred in Colorado by Kidd Ranch, Kr Cartels Calamity was purchased for $12,000 at the Heritage Place Yearling Sale in Oklahoma City and is trained by Jose A. Rosales Gomez.

Winner of the Beehive Futurity earlier this year, the brown colt broke sharply from post seven and never looked back, cruising to the wire while being kept to task over a fast track.

Also fourth in the Bitterroot Futurity in his last start, July 20, Kr Cartels Calamity has won three of five starts and banked $52,092.

The second-fastest qualifier, Heeled, gave a steady effort in the same heat. The Oregon-bred gelding by Glock, out of Stoney Plains by Kipas Special, finished second to Kr Cartels Calamity in 18.330.

Raced and bred by Hayden Brothers Ranch, Heeled is trained by Hector Magallanes and was ridden by Jaime E. Lopez. After brushing early, he maintained a consistent drive to secure his spot in the finals.

Heeled was also runner-up in the Pocatello Downs Spring Futurity Consolation earlier this year. Winless in four starts, he has finished second three times and banked $5,800.

Jess F Y I topped the second trial as the third-fastest overall qualifier, stopping the clock at 18.360. Winner of the Firecracker Futurity at Grants Pass in his last start, Jess F Y I is a perfect 3-for-3 and has banked $37,900.

The Oregon-bred gelding by second-crop sire Gold Heart Eagle V, out of Time To Splash Bac by Splash Bac, was game in victory, dueling early before edging clear in the late stages.

Bred and owned by Michael and/or Shannon McKay and trained by Hector Magallanes, Jess F Y I also had Jaime E. Lopez in the irons. The talented juvenile showed determination and finishing power to win by three-quarters of a length.

A total of ten horses will return for the August 16 final at Emerald Downs, including the top three qualifiers and a full field determined by time from the two trial races.

A shake will determine the tenth and final qualifying position between You Tuber and Gangster On Da Run, who each posted an identical time of 18.640.

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

The 2025 John Deere Emerald Downs Juvenile Challenge Final, restricted to Challenge-enrolled 2-year-olds, will be contested at 350 yards and offers a purse of $30,000-added.

The final promises to be a highly competitive event. The winner will earn a berth in the $140,000-est John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship(G2), scheduled for October 18 at the Downs in Albuquerque.

Editor's note: A photo of the winner will be posted when it becomes available from the track photographer.

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