Special Buddy BC, ridden by Gerardo Vera, posted the fastest qualifying time for the Weber Downs Maiden Frolic on Saturday at Weber Downs in Ogden, Utah.

© Weber Downs

By Emily Paulk, StallioneSearch

OGDEN, UT–MAY 9, 2026– Four trial heats were contested Saturday afternoon at Weber Downs to determine the finalists for the $43,163 Weber Downs Maiden Frolic, a 330-yard event for three-year-olds and older.

The ten fastest qualifiers from the trials will return on May 30 to compete in the final.

Leading all qualifiers was Special Buddy BC, who posted the fastest time of the afternoon while winning the opening trial in :16.772, earning a 97 speed index.

The four-year-old gelding was bred and is owned by Ben L. McKinney, trained by Wes Kellett, and ridden by Gerardo Vera.

Sired by Flay and out of the Tac L Bac mare Whata Doll BC, a winner and stakes finalist, Special Buddy BC entered the trials still searching for his first stakes victory after finishing fourth in last year’s Pocatello Downs Spring Classic Futurity.

With the trial score, the gelding improved his career record to 14 starts with a 1-3-3 mark and earnings of $20,020. Breaking sharply from the rail, he “flew from inside for win” according to the Equibase chart notes and held off Stanley Dale by three-quarters of a length.

Second fastest qualifier WDC Jess Hoss captured the third trial in :16.837 while earning a 95 speed index.

The four-year-old colt was bred and is owned by William Dale Critton, trained by Donna Sanchez, and ridden by Luis Collazo.

Sired by WDC Royal Ruler and out of the Visionarian mare Jess Strawberi, WDC Jess Hoss was making his career debut in the trials. Despite drifting out late, the colt finished strongly to defeat Lethal Cowboy by a neck.

Third fastest qualifier Lethal Cowboy stopped the clock in :16.880 for a 93 speed index while finishing second behind WDC Jess Hoss in the third trial.

The three-year-old colt was bred and is owned by Darian Burt, trained by Kylie Valenzuela, and ridden by Jose Juan Olivo.

The son of leading sire Flying Cowboy 123 is out of the First Down Dash mare More Lethal and was also making his first lifetime start. The lightly raced prospect closed willingly late but fell just short at the wire.

VIEW FULL LIST OF QUALIFIERS HERE.

*Photo will be posted when available.

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