M E Kool Carter, under jockey Eric Ayala, posts the fastest qualifying time of :17.008 in the Idaho Cup Derby trials on May 2 at Pocatello Downs.

© Pocatello Downs

By Emily Paulk, StallioneSearch

POCATELLO, ID–MAY 2, 2026– Two trial heats contested Saturday at Pocatello Downs produced the finalists for the $30,000-est. Idaho Cup Derby, with Idaho-bred three-year-olds sprinting 330 yards over a fast racing surface. The final is scheduled for May 25.

Fastest qualifier M E Kool Carter turned in a sharp performance in the opening trial, breaking alertly and never looking back en route to a 1 3/4-length victory while stopping the clock in :17.008 and earning an 87 speed index.

Ridden by Eric Ayala for owner-breeder Dave Merritt and trainer Jarrett Mills, the gelding showed strong early speed and maintained separation throughout the stretch.

Bred by Kim Newman and David Merritt, M E Kool Carter is a son of champion Carters Cartel out of the One Sweet Jess mare Kool Sweet Jess, a winner on the track.

He now owns a record of 7-3-1-1 with earnings of $22,912 and continues to search for his first stakes victory after finishing second in the Elko Intermountain Futurity in his most recent start.

Second-fastest qualifier Redmann captured the second trial with a determined late run under jockey Raphael Romero, stopping the clock in :17.158 with an 83 speed index.

After tracking just off the early pace, the gelding surged late to get up by a neck in a tightly contested finish.

Owned by Bryan Romero and trained by Homer Romero, Redmann was bred by Jolynn Wheeler and Cinda Thomas. The son of Red Oak Special is out of the winning Forged mare She Forged It and brings a solid resume into the final with a 9-4-1-1 record and $15,580 in earnings.

Already a stakes winner of the Roche Equine Veterinary Services Futurity, he has also been a finalist in the Elko Intermountain Futurity, Oneida County Futurity, and Idaho Cup Futurity.

Chicks Favorite Five recorded the third-fastest qualifying time while finishing a strong second in the second trial. Ridden by Oscar Villa, the gelding posted a :17.180 clocking with an 82 speed index, showing early speed before holding well late.

A homebred for Five Livestock Company LLC and trained by Ramiro Fregoso, Chicks Favorite Five is sired by leading sire Favorite Cartel and is out of the stakes-winning Spit Curl Jess mare First Prize Chicks. Despite facing more experienced rivals, he delivered an impressive effort in what marked his first career start.

Across the two trials, performances were closely matched behind the top pair, with several runners showing competitive efforts that could factor into the outcome of the May 25 final.

View full list of qualifiers HERE.

Following the derby trials, the $8,600 Pocatello Downs Stakes at 400 yards was contested later on the card, with Mysterious Cartel and jockey Cesar Moreno prevailing in a tightly contested finish. Racing for owner Luis Gonzalez and trainer Abelardo Gonzalez, the gelding set the pace early and held on gamely to stop the clock in :19.677 while earning a 104 speed index.

A $31,000 graduate of the Heritage Place Yearling Sale, Mysterious Cartel is a son of champion Five Bar Cartel out of the Valiant Hero mare Mysterious Night. He is a half-brother to stakes-placed runner Mysterious Patriot ($51,910), adding further depth to an already accomplished pedigree.

*A photo will be posted as soon as it becomes available. 

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