Cesar Moreno guides Flying Rocco to a nose victory over Surfinoverthemoon in the $90,200 KC Carden Accredited Wyoming Bred Derby on July 25 at Wyoming Downs.

© Wyoming Downs

By Emily Paulk, StallioneSearch

EVANSTON, WY—JULY 25, 2026—Flying Rocco prevailed in a thrilling stretch duel with favorite Surfinoverthemoon, getting the nod by a nose to capture the $90,200 KC Carden Accredited Wyoming Bred Derby on Saturday at Wyoming Downs.

The 3-year-old gelding stopped the timer in :17.531 for 350 yards over a fast track, earning a 96 speed index.

Ridden by Cesar Moreno, Flying Rocco is trained by Uriel Dominguez for owner-breeder J.P. Sample. The homebred son of champion Flying Cowboy 123 is out of the Looking For Chicks mare This Chicks A Queen.

He improved his record to 12-6-1-1 and boosted his earnings to $117,084 after collecting the $41,492 winner's share of the purse. Flying Rocco entered the July 10 trials off a fourth-place finish in the 307 Horse Racing Wyoming Bred Derby and was runner-up in last year's Wyoming Bred Futurity.

Fastest qualifier Surfinoverthemoon battled for the lead throughout and appeared headed to victory before being caught at the wire, finishing a nose back in :17.538 while matching the winner's 96 speed index.

Jacob Cardenas rode the Jess Matt trainee for owner Lana Matt. Bred by Walter Larson, the Corona Surfer gelding out of Dashmetothemoon now owns a record of 14-4-5-3 with earnings of $75,786.

He entered the trials off a third-place finish in the 307 Horse Racing Wyoming Bred Derby and was also third in the Dan Lockie Derby in May.

Kcross Lever Action rallied from the back of the pack with a strong late run to finish third, another neck behind the runner-up. Ridden by Jayden Ironeyes for owner BDS Performance Horses and trainer Skyler Greene, the Pistol Packin Perry filly covered the distance in :17.583 while earning a 95 speed index.

Bred by Mike Lipp and out of the Coronas Velvet mare Vvr Dazzling Corona, she now sports a record of 12-3-3-2 with earnings of $111,267. She entered the derby off a victory in the 307 Horse Racing Wyoming Bred Derby in June.

Miss Pollys Train finished fourth and was followed by Mv Paint Me Jess, Ud Baby, Pappas Eagle, Rageous Paint, Cgr Crooked Cowboy and Zoomin Diamond.

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