Jockey Oscar Andrade, Jr., rides Jjs Sweet And Sassy to victory in the $48,000 Minnesota QH Derby at Canterbury Park on Saturday night.

© Coady Media

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

SHAKOPEE, MN—SEPTEMBER 6, 2025—Jjs Sweet And Sassy proved best on Saturday night at Canterbury Park, surging late to capture the $48,000 Minnesota Quarter Horse Derby by three-quarters of a length.

Covering the 400 yards in 20.205 on a fast track with a 4 mph crosswind, the sorrel filly earned a speed index of 92 and the winner’s share of $21,600 for owner and breeder Jerry Oxner of Minnesota.

Trained by 24-year-old Tyler Stein and ridden with confidence by jockey Oscar Andrade, Jr., the daughter of One Valiant Hero out of April Is Special, by One Sweet Jess, displayed a powerful late kick to overtake the early leader and secure the win.

When asked about how he feels about being a young trainer, Tyler Stein said, "I feel great about this win. Thanks to the great owners, we just try to do the best we can with them."

Tyler is one of the few trainers who ponies his horses to the gate.

The winning connections of Jjs Sweet And Sassy accept the Minnesota QH Derby stakes trophy on Saturday at Canterbury Park. © Coady Media

“I like ponying my horses. They see me every day, so it’s a familiar figure. I like keeping them as calm as possible before the races.”

Tyler said about the winner, “I think from the start she was one of the better ones; she showed us she was a little more than most.”

Jjs Sweet And Saddy has won three of eight career starts and banked $57,320.

Eos Keep Dreamin, also a Minnesota-bred sorrel filly, finished a determined second for owner and breeder Corey Wilmes.

Breaking sharply under jockey Eugenio Navarrete, Jr., she set the pace through the opening strides and fought gamely to the wire, finishing three-quarters of a length behind the winner.

Trained by Edward Hardy, the daughter of leading sire Flying Cowboy 123 out of Too Much, by Walk Thru Fire, earned $8,160 for the runner-up effort.

Shes Hell Bent closed steadily to finish third, another length back, under jockey Francisco Ramirez, Jr. Bred by Tom Maher and owned in partnership by Maher and Paul Luedemann, the sorrel daughter of champion Hes Relentless out of Ms First Prize Paris, by Chicks Regard, picked up $4,800 for her effort. Trained by Jason Olmstead, Shes Hell Bent has earned $21,253.

Jjs Sweet and Sassy returned $6.60 to win, $4.00 to place, and $2.80 to show. Eos Keep Dreamin paid $8.40 to place and $4.00 to show, while Shes Hell Bent returned $5.40 to show.

The remainder of the field finished in the following order: Dashing Avery in fourth, Thirty Four Below in fifth, Da Lie Lah in sixth, Stel an Eagle in seventh, L Conejo in eighth, Coronas Drtydynasty in ninth, and One Sweet Ferarri in tenth.

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