Ajs Favorite Ia, under jockey Cristian R. Esqueda, pulls away to post the fastest time in the $125,000 Polk County Derby trials on Monday at Prairie Meadows.

© Jack Coady Photography

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

ALTOONA, IA—SEPTEMBER 8, 2025—Ajs Favorite Ia delivered a sharp performance Monday afternoon at Prairie Meadows, posting the fastest qualifying time from two trials to the $122,180 Polk County Derby for 3-year-olds at 400 yards.

The final is scheduled for Saturday, September 27, 2025.

Owned by Stephen Moyle and trained by Alex Wessels, the Iowa-bred gelding broke smoothly under jockey Cristian R. Esqueda and pulled away late to win the first trial by three-quarters of a length, stopping the clock in 20.430 seconds into an eight-mph headwind.

Bred by Darling Farms, Ajs Favorite Ia is a multiple stakes winning son of leading sire Favorite Cartel out of the Apollitical Jess mare Df Aj Green Leaves.

Winner of the Cyclone Derby and Jim Bader Futurity, AJs Favorite Ia has won five of eight starts and earned $111,180.

The second-fastest qualifier came from the same heat, as Jesszees Girl held on gamely for second behind Ajs Favorite Ia. The Valiant Hero filly, out of Streakin Jesszee by Mr Jess Perry, finished in 20.565 for owner RDS Legacy Racing LLC.

She is trained by John A. Stinebaugh and was ridden by Ali Rivera. Bred in Iowa by Jeff State, Jesszees Girl earned her spot in the final with a strong stretch run despite being no match for the top qualifier late. Third in Cyclone Derby two races back, she has banked $28,737.

In the second trial, Divas Lil Wagon secured the victory and the fifth qualifying spot with a steady wire-to-wire performance. The Lil Kool Wagon gelding, out of A Lil Diva by Talkalota Bull, stopped the timer in 20.693 under jockey Angel O. Ramirez.

Owned and bred by Brenda L. Onstot and trained by Tony Dean Jones, Divas Lil Wagon finished a half-length clear and has earned $41,305 in 11 starts.

The ten fastest qualifiers from the two trials will return for the Polk County Derby final on Saturday, September 27, where they will compete for a share of the $125,000-estimated purse at Prairie Meadows.

CLICK HERE for the complete lists including connections, times, and breeding.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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