Pocatello Downs will host a stakes filled card on Saturday.

© Pocatello Downs

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

POCATELLO, ID–MAY 23, 2025–A thrilling lineup of Quarter Horse stakes races is set to headline the Saturday, May 25 card at Pocatello Downs, where seven significant events from Race 6 through Race 12 will distribute over $160,000 in purse money.

From promising juveniles to experienced veterans, the afternoon promises to showcase some of the Northwest's top breeding, ownership, and training talent. The $45,549 Idaho Cup Futurity is the feature attraction, but each race brings its own storylines and stars.

Below is a comprehensive rundown of the featured races, including pedigree, connections, and morning-line favorites.

The top billing on the card belongs to Race 10, the $45,549 Idaho Cup Futurity for two-year-olds at 300 yards. The morning-line favorite is M E Kool Carter, a son of Carters Cartel out of Kool Sweet Jess, bred and owned by Dave Merritt and Kim Newman.

Trained by Jarrett Mills and ridden by Fernando J. Olague, the gelding turned heads in his trial victory, stopping the clock with a field-best 84 speed index. He'll break from the outside post in a loaded final where the gate break will be everything.

Race 11 is the $38,925 Pocatello Downs Spring Futurity, also contested at 300 yards. Fifty Two Special holds the 2-1 morning-line nod after a commanding trial score. The brown gelding is by The Louisiana Cartel and out of The Streakin Clean by Streakin La Jolla.

Owned by Javier Olmos and bred by Leonardo Olmos, Fifty Two Special is trained by Lorenzo Marquez-Campo and will be guided by Mark A. Jasso. He figures to fire first from the rail after a slick :16.006 trial run.

In Race 8, the $26,748 Idaho Cup Derby for three-year-olds at 350 yards, bettors will likely zero in on Ojd Jess A Bug, listed at 7-5 on the morning line. Bred by Owen J. Doxey and owned by Cesar Leal Hernandez, this son of Jesse James Jr has been in stellar form, boasting a 100 trial speed index and a lifetime best pace of 107. Trained by Mark Hanson and ridden by Jesus Virgen, he enters with momentum and a solid inside draw.

The $23,400 Pocatello Downs Spring Derby is Race 9, and features La Peralta as the 5-2 favorite. A daughter of Coronas Fast Dash out of She Paints Me Fine, the filly is owned and bred by Jose Luis Villa. Under trainer Lorenzo Marquez-Campos and rider Damian Correl, La Peralta comes off a series of strong efforts that have shown both speed and consistency.

Veterans take their turn in Race 12, the $19,000 Idaho Cup Maturity, run over 440 yards. Radar is pegged at 3-1 to lead the field. The gelding by Kiddy Up out of Gigi Gotta Gun is campaigned and bred by Jessie Thomason. Trainer Ramiro Fregoso entrusts Oscar Villa with the ride, as Radar seeks to capitalize on his strong recent form and experience at the distance.

In Race 7, the $13,500 Spring Classic Maiden Frolic Oaks Final (not black type), M E Flying Cowgirl stands as the 5-1 favorite in the field of fillies. The sorrel filly is by Flying Cowboy 123 and out of Ettago This, bred by David Merritt and Kim Newman. She’ll represent the Jarrett Mills barn with Eric Ayala in the irons, coming off encouraging efforts in prior company.

Finally, Race 6 opens the stakes with the $12,900 Spring Classic Maiden Frolic Final (not black type) for colts and geldings. The Great One leads the betting at 5-2. The Foose gelding out of Speedin Down The Road is bred and owned by Jose O. Ramirez and will be ridden by Jose A. Figueroa for trainer Freddy Ibarra. The Great One will aim to build on a decisive gate-to-wire maiden win as he tackles the 300-yard finale.

With first post set for 1:00 p.m. MDT, and the stakes beginning in Race 6, Pocatello Downs is poised for a high-octane afternoon that should deliver both breakout performances and seasoned class.

Whether it’s the babies' speed or the older sprinters' grit, Saturday’s card will crown several Idaho-bred champions on one of the meet’s biggest days.