Energy Downs 307 Racing will off five trials for the Wyoming Bred QH Derby on Saturday's race card.

© Jack Coady Photography

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

GILLETTE, WY—MAY 23, 2024—Energy Downs 307 Racing will be the site of five exciting 350-yard trials on Saturday, May 24, as a whole field of accredited Wyoming-bred three-year-olds competes for a spot in the final of the $75,000-added Wyoming Bred Quarter Horse Derby, set for June 7.

The ten fastest times of the day will advance, and each trial offers a $5,000 purse. Here's a look at the top contender in each trial, listed in order of the race card.

In Race 2, Trial 1, the undefeated Mr Volaris stands out from the eight-horse field. Breaking from post position 3 and installed at 7-2 on the morning line, the sorrel colt is both bred and owned by Pedro Mena.

Trained by Kylie Valenzuela and ridden by Guillermo Suarez, Mr Volaris boasts a perfect 2-for-2 record at Energy Downs. He appears poised to extend his win streak and secure a berth in the Derby final.

Moving to Race 3, Trial 2, Flashy Version emerges as the top contender from post 3. A daughter of Winners Version, she is owned and bred by Uriel Dominguez Lucero and trained by Calli VanTassell Dominguez.

Jockey Brayan Juarez will take the reins on the 5-2 morning line favorite, who has already notched a win and multiple placings in stakes company. Her strong closing kick and prior trial experience give her a class edge in this heat.

The likely standout in Race 4, Trial 3 is Sj Illusive N Shady, the 2-1 favorite. Drawn in post 6, the gelding enters off a productive two-year-old campaign highlighted by a victory in the Wyoming Bred Futurity.

Owned by James and Stephanie Ferguson, he is trained by Jess R. Matt and will be guided by Jacob Cardenas. With a career-best speed index of 91, he holds the highest figure among all horses entered across the trials and looms a major threat to post the day’s fastest time.

In Race 5, Trial 4, the improving filly Jrs Queen headlines a competitive group from post 7. She is owned by Broken Heart Ranch and trained by Robert Don Johnson, with Ruben Chavez aboard.

A winner in her most recent out at Miles City, she enters off a solid 94 speed index performance and has quietly built a reputation as a filly with tactical speed and grit. Her presence makes this one of the deeper fields of the afternoon.

The card concludes with Race 6, Trial 5, where Outlaw Jess brings the day’s top last-out speed figure into the finale. Breaking from post 8, the gelding is owned by Raymundo Amaya, trained by Kylie Valenzuela, and ridden by Guillermo Suarez. He recently posted a 94 speed index and appears to be rounding into top form just in time for the trials. If he can duplicate that effort, he’ll be a major player in the final.

Each of these five races is critical, as only time matters on Saturday—wins do not guarantee a spot in the final, only the ten fastest performances across all trials.

With multiple stakes veterans and improving runners lined up, the Derby field promises to be one of the most competitive in recent Wyoming racing history.