High Flying Cowgirl, under jockey Edwin Escobedo, won the 110,450 Gary Waite Maiden Stake (not black type) at Wyoming Downs Sunday.

© Coady Media

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

EVANSTON, WY—JULY 20, 2025—After a string of near misses, High Flying Cowgirl broke her maiden in the July 4 trials, then returned in a big way Sunday at Wyoming Downs, capturing the $110,450 Gary Waite Maiden Stakes (not black type) for 3-year-olds and up who were maidens as of January 1.

Ridden by Edwin Escobedo, the daughter of Flying Cowboy 123 rocketed from the gates and controlled the 330-yard dash from start to finish, stopping the clock in 16.628 seconds. The effort earned a 99 speed index, and she crossed the wire 1-3/4 lengths in front under a 4 mph crosswind on a fast track.

Trained by Joe Davis for owners Billy R. Medlin and Kaylee Escobedo, the Oklahoma-bred filly is out of High Flying Val, by Valiant Hero. She was bred by Rigby and Brumby Partnership and purchased for $7,500 at the 2022 Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale. The victory was worth $50,807, boosting her lifetime earnings to $70,898 from a record of 12 starts, two wins, four seconds, and one third.

The winning connections of High Flying Cowgirl accept the Gary Waite Maiden Stakes trophy at Wyoming Downs Sunday. © Coady Media

Co-owner Kaylee Escobedo reflected on the emotional win, explaining, "Bill Medlin and my dad (trainer Gregg Sanders) purchased High Flying Cowgirl as a foal in utero out of the Heritage sale. They had big plans for her. Dad passed shortly after starting her as a yearling, but Bill and I kept her. She’s ran a lot of seconds and went into her three-year-old year still a maiden. We didn’t give up—we knew she had it in her!! And we are proud of her. Our next plan will be a late nomination to the Derby at Rock Springs."

Finishing second was M E Flying Cowgirl, also a 3-year-old filly by Flying Cowboy 123, who closed gamely to earn $22,090 for owners Dave Merritt and Kim Newman.

An Idaho homebred, M E Flying Cowgirl is out of Ettago This, by Favorite Cartel. Trained by Jarrett Mills and ridden by Julian Zavala, she was now has earnings of $32,646.

King Eye Am, a 3-year-old gelding by Eye Am King out of Dash Away Sue, by Dash Ta Fame, finished a half back in third. Bred in Utah by Scott Peterson and owned by Paul Peterson, he is trained by Kylie Valenzuela and ridden by Jesus Valenzuela. He earned $11,045 for the effort, bringing his earnings to $25,800.

High Flying Cowgirl returned $11.20 to win, $6.00 to place, and $3.60 to show. M E Flying Cowgirl paid $7.80 and $4.20, while King Eye Am returned $2.80 to show.

The remaining finishers were Quick Creek in fourth, Ronnie Racer fifth, Legal Candy sixth, Yo My Illusive Dream seventh, Absolut Cartel eighth, Hidden Interest ninth, and Run the Dynasty tenth.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Would you like more industry news delivered directly to your inbox? Click here to sign up.