In The Vee and jockey Jacob Cardenas race to the fastest qualifying time for the $32,500 Young Ford Wyoming Downs Derby with a 1¾-length victory in the second of five 400-yard trials Saturday at Wyoming Downs.

© Coady Media

By Emily Paulk, StallioneSearch

EVANSTON, WY–JULY 17, 2026–Five trials were contested Saturday for the $32,500 Young Ford Wyoming Downs Derby, with the 10 fastest qualifiers advancing to the 400-yard final on August 1.

In The Vee posted the fastest qualifying time after cruising to a 1¾-length victory in the second trial under jockey Jacob Cardenas. The Jess Matt-trained gelding stopped the clock in :19.644 for owner Eddie Jensen.

Bred by Dan and Kim LaPierre, the son of Junior June Bug out of the Brindis Por Cayenne mare Brindis Secret improved his record to eight wins, two seconds, and two thirds from 13 starts while boosting his earnings to $178,661.

Already a proven stakes performer, In The Vee entered the trials off a runner-up finish in the 307HR Wyoming Bred Derby. Last season, he captured both the WABRA Wyoming Bred Futurity and the Bucking Horse Sale Futurity.

Also racing for owner Eddie Jensen, Mv Goldheart Foose secured the second-fastest qualifying time after taking the opening trial under David Alvarez Jr. for trainer Tony Hyde.

Bred by Eddie and Andrea Jensen, the filly is by Gold Heart Eagle V out of the Foose mare Royal Fooseperrypie. Her record now stands at 10 starts with three wins, three seconds, and one third while earning $24,232. She was victorious in the Gary & Sherilyn Blattner Memorial Derby in May.

Muscle Max earned the third-fastest qualifying time after finishing second to Mv Goldheart Foose in the opening trial. Trained by Elena Andrade for owner Gary Laramie, the $17,000 Los Alamitos Equine Sale graduate is by Separate Interest out of the stakes-placed Corona Cartel mare Corona Mas Fina ($68,982).

Bred by Oscar Andrade and Steve Burns, DVM, Muscle Max is a half brother to Grade 2 Southern California Derby winner Uno Corona Mas ($125,112), while his female family traces to champions Sig Hanson ($433,193) and Sign Of Lanty ($545,542). The effort came in just his third career start.

The Young Ford Wyoming Downs Derby final is scheduled for August 1.

VIEW FULL LIST OF QUALIFIERS HERE.

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