Love Ya, under jockey Jesus Canales, won the $26,748 Idaho Cup Derby at Pocatello DOwns Sunday.

© Sam Wilson

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

POCATELLO, ID–MAY 25, 2025– Luv Ya surged to a front-running victory in the $26,748 Idaho Cup Derby on Sunday at Pocatello Downs, covering the 350-yard distance in a swift 17.422 seconds over a fast track. The win was worth $10,699 to her connections.

The bay filly, bred in Idaho by Allreds Horse Haven, is a daughter of Docs Best Card out of Shi D Anna by Proudest Effort and won the Idaho Cup Futurity one year ago at Pocatello.

Racing for Keller Livestock and Cody Allred, she is trained by Sergio Canales and was ridden to victory by Jesus Canales. Breaking sharply from post position eight, Luv Ya seized command early and held a clear advantage throughout, pulling away late to win by three-quarters of a length. Luv Ya has banked $46,754 in eight starts.

Finishing second was M E Closing Time, a bay filly by champion EC Jet One out of Kool Sweet Jess by One Sweet Jess. Bred and owned by David Merritt and Kim Newman, she is trained by Jarrett Mills and was ridden by Fernando Olague. M E Closing Time earned $5,350 for her runner-up effort after staying close behind the leader from the break. She has banked $21,422 in 13 career starts

Sheknowsshesmokn, a sorrel filly by Daguerre out of Smokn Mirrors by Jumpn, finished third for breeder-owner Edward C. Jamison. Trained by Glen Jamison and ridden by Jesus Flores, she earned $2,675 after maintaining a solid stalking position and finishing two lengths behind the runner-up. The multiple stakes placed filly has earned $19,699 in 11 starts.

The remaining order of finish included Good Bet, fourth followed by M E Mitzy, Sheknowsshepunky, Eye Am Unique, and Nh Downdraft Express. Multiple stakes winner Ojd Jess A Bug was scratched.

The Idaho Cup Derby Finals featured a purse boosted by state-bred incentives and sponsorship funds, drawing a competitive field of three-year-olds that qualified through earlier trials. Luv Ya’s decisive performance solidified her status as a leading sophomore in the region.

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