Ojd Jess A Bug, under jockey David Alvarez, Jr., gets his fourth career stakes win in Sunday's $170,100 Energy Downs Derby at Energy Downs 307 Horse Racing.

© Jack Coady Photography

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

GILLETTE, WY—JUNE 8, 2025—Undefeated in nine starts, Ojd Jess A Bug delivered a commanding performance in Sunday’s $170,100 Energy Downs Derby at Energy Downs 307 Horse Racing, pulling away from a quality field of three-year-old Quarter Horses to win convincingly by a full length.

The 350-yard event showcased the Idaho-bred gelding’s sharp break and sustained speed as he crossed the wire in 17.176 seconds on a fast track, earning a 112 speed index with a 28 mph tailwind.

Ridden confidently by jockey David Alvarez, Jr., Ojd Jess A Bug broke sharply from post four and quickly took control of the race. He widened his lead steadily through the stretch, never challenged as he extended his stride under strong handling.

The son of multiple stakes sire One Sweet Jess is out of the mare Bugs Wagon, by Pyc Paint Your Wagon, and was bred in Idaho by Karla Diaz-Gomez and Oscar Diaz. The same pair also co-own the talented bay gelding, who is conditioned by trainer Javier Fuentes.

The winning connections of Old Jess A Bug accept the Energy Downs QH Derby stakes trophy on Sunday afternoon. © Jack Coady Photography

Winner of the Bitterroot Futurity(RG3), Hadley/Giles Futurity and Sweetwater Downs Futurity last season, Old Jess A Bug picked up $85,050 to boost his bankroll to $226,500.

Finishing second was fastest qualifier Mysterious Cartel, who chased the leader gamely but could not close the gap. The sorrel colt by champion Five Bar Cartel, out of Mysterious Night by Valiant Hero, was piloted by Cesar Moreno for trainer Luis Gonzalez.

Bred in Texas by J/R Robicheaux/Spanish Moss Quarter Horses, Mysterious Cartel was purchased for $31,000 at the 2023 Heritage Place Yearling Sale. He posted a time of 17.335 seconds for a 107 speed index and earned $25,515 for his runner-up finish. Runner-up the Sweetwater Downs Futurity and third in the Far West Futurity at 2, he has earned $78,900 in 11 starts.

Konspire, a well-bred daughter of leading sire Favorite Cartel, closed willingly from sixth early to finish third under jockey Cordarelton Benn. The brown filly, out of Indeed A Delight by Wave Carver, is trained by Joe Davis for Cornerstone Stables.

Bred in California by Steve D. Burns, DVM, she brought $62,000 at the 2023 Los Alamitos Equine Sale. Her late rally stopped the clock at 17.477 seconds, earning a 103 speed index and a third-place prize of $14,459. She has earned $43,684 in 10 starts.

Completing the order of finish behind the top three were Kaseys Spirit in fourth, followed by King Eye Am, Dnc Dynasty, Game for Tarzan, Rj Spicer, Jg Separatist Times, and El Treen.

Sunday’s win cements Ojd Jess A Bug’s place as one of the region’s premier sophomore sprinters, and connections will no doubt be aiming him at additional stakes targets as the season progresses.

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