BG Follow My Lead posts the fastest qualifying time for the EIHA/JHRA Derby at Jerome County Fair on June 7 under jockey Never Marin.

© Jerome County Fair

By Emily Paulk, StallioneSearch

JEROME, ID—JUNE 7, 2026—Two trials were contested Sunday at Jerome County Fair for the EIHA/JHRA Derby, with the ten fastest qualifiers advancing to the estimated $15,000 final scheduled for June 21.

BG Follow My Lead posted the fastest qualifying time of the afternoon with a determined victory in the opening trial. Under Never Marin, the gelding stalked the early leader before taking command and drawing clear late to win by a neck while stopping the clock in :17.584 for a 104 speed index.

Owned by Scott and Sherry Erickson and trained by Wasey Erickson, BG Follow My Lead was bred in Oklahoma by Mike and Jay Lynn Hester. The gelding is sired by Capo De Capi and out of the Judys Lineage mare Skip Away Shadow. The trial victory improved his record to 8-5-2-1 with earnings of $25,248.

Thought It Deluxe earned the second-fastest qualifying time after setting the pace early and battling gamely before settling for second in the same trial. Ridden by Raul Zapien, the gelding completed the 350 yards in :17.627 and earned a 103 speed index.

A homebred for owner Jorge Murillo, Thought It Deluxe is trained by Jose Pulido. The son of Eagle Deluxe is out of the Foose mare Thought It Through and now owns a record of 9-1-4-1 with earnings of $12,491. As a juvenile, he finished second in the Roche Equine Veterinary Services Futurity and fourth in the Oneida County Futurity.

Duplicate Kopy captured the second trial to secure the third-fastest qualifying mark. Under Oscar Villa, the gelding dueled throughout and prevailed by a neck at the wire, covering the distance in :17.689 while earning a 101 speed index.

Owned by Edward McNelis, who also bred the gelding with Von Zae McNelis, Duplicate Kopy is trained by Ramiro Fregoso. The son of FDD Dynasty is out of the Dashin Bye mare Bye Sweet Girl. The victory improved his record to 8-1-0-2 with earnings of $5,297. Earlier this season, he finished fourth in the Spring Classic Maiden Frolic.

The ten fastest qualifiers from the two trial races will return to Jerome County Fair on June 21 for the estimated $15,000 EIHA/JHRA Derby final.

VIEW FULL LIST OF QUALIFIERS HERE.

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