Rayshas Pink Cartel, ridden by Jesus Virgen, wins the $17,000 Governor’s Handicap on Saturday at Sweetwater Downs.

© Coady Media

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

ROCK SPRINGS, WY–AUGUST 30, 2025–Piloted by Jesus Virgen, Rayshas Pink Cartel turned the tables at Sweetwater Downs on Saturday afternoon, capturing her first career stakes victory in the $17,000 Governor’s Handicap.

One year after finishing second in the same race, Rayshas Pink Cartel dug in gamely to prevail by a nose in a 400-yard photo finish over Jets Eyes. The 5-year-old mare stopped the clock in 19.731 seconds with a 99 speed index. The wire-to-wire effort returned $25.20 to win at 11-1 odds.

The connections of Rayshas Pink Cartel accept the Governor’s Handicap winning trophy at Sweetwater Downs on Saturday. © Coady Media

Trainer David Greene saddled Rayshas Pink Cartel for owner Hemsley Ranch. The daughter of Favorite Cartel has now lit the board in half of her 20 lifetime starts, building a record of 5-2-3 with $43,982 in earnings.

Bred in Utah by Renegade Racing and Spackman Racing, she is out of the Dominyun mare Rayshas Pink Sky. Earlier this season Rayshas Pink Cartel earned two third place finishes in the Isawssugarbear Stakes and Energy Downs 3307 Racing Distaff Challenge, and was a finalist in the Energy Downs 307 F&M Stakes.

Jets Eyes, a 4-year-old son of Ec Jet One, finished a hard-luck second—his third consecutive runner-up performance this season. Ridden by Jose Olivo for trainer Kylie Valenzuela and owner Kylie Aguirre Valenzuela, the gelding drifted slightly late but completed the distance in 19.755 seconds with a 98 speed index.

Bred in Wyoming by Maria Valenzuela, he is out of the Hawkinson mare Hawkinson Eyes. With a consistent record of 3-5-1 from 10 starts, Jets Eyes has banked $69,332 while also placing in the Ron Moosman Accredited Wyoming Bred Maturity and the WBRA Wyoming Bred Derby.

Third-place finisher Sj Illusive N Shady, a 3-year-old gelding by Fiftyshadezofgrey, earned his first black-type credential in the Governor’s Handicap under jockey Juan Rivas. Trained Jose Rivas for owners Stephanie and Jim Ferguson, he rallied after a stumbling start to finish just a neck back in 19.827 seconds with a 96 speed index.

The Wyoming-bred runner out of the Secretly Illusive by Beduino Secret, was bred by Gerald F. Kaul. From 12 career outs, Sj Illusive N Shady has compiled a record of 4-2-2 with $67,263 earned.

Cayenneoverthemoon, Moon Em N Dash, Feature Mr Rabbit, Budder Off Friends, Y O At a Glance, Jess No Secrets, and Ud Cholula completed the order of finish.

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