Undefeated at the North Dakota Horse Park, multiple stakes winner Im Rip has been set at the 2-1 morning-line favorite in Saturday's $22,400 NDQHRA Derby.

© Wendy Reuer

By StallioneSearch

FARGO, ND–JULY 18, 2025–North Dakota Horse Park will host the $22,400 NDQHRA Derby for accredited North Dakota-bred 3-year-old Quarter Horses on Saturday, August 2.

Race 7 on the card, the Derby will be contested at 400 yards with a first post time of 3:00 p.m. (CDT).

Im Rip (PP #5) leads the field, the morning-line favorite at 2-1 for owner/breeder Tyrell R. Moody. Trained by Skip Moody and to be ridden by leading jockey Dakota Wood, the brown gelding by Rip Tide out of Cowboywannab by Cowboys Cartel has been dominant at North Dakota Horse Park with four wins in as many starts.

Im Rip enters off a determined trial victory on July 19, defeating Famous Speedy One by a nose with a 97-speed index. The seven-time winner already boasts career earnings of $33,639 and is unbeaten at the track and distance. Last summer he won the NDQHRA Futurity.

Second choice on the morning line at 3-1 is Wrangler 123 (PP #3) for breeder/owner Billy Buchholz. The son of leading third-crop sire Flying Cowboy 123 out of Marmolly by Freighttrain B is trained by Robert Don Johnson and will be ridden by Kody Kellenberger.

Wrangler 123 exits a strong trial win on July 19, where he clocked a 90-speed index while edging Moonshynin Diva by three-quarters. He has three wins and two placings from eleven career starts, earning $13,079 to date, and will look to continue his sharp form.

Famous Speedy One (PP #7) rounds out the featured contenders as the 7-2 third choice for Wilson Racing Stables and breeder Darrel Smith/Noreen Cavanaugh. Also trained by Robert Don Johnson, the gelded son of Famous Painted One out of Little Free Speed by Free Company will be ridden by Larren Delorme.

Famous Speedy One was narrowly beaten by Im Rip in the trials and previously scored an impressive wire-to-wire win in the $11,500 final at Chippewa Downs on June 22. The four-time winner has banked $38,002 and shows a strong local record at North Dakota Horse Park winning the NDQHRA Northern Plains Futurity last summer.

The NDQHRA Derby promises a competitive showdown among the region's top sophomores. Fans can look forward to a full card of racing with wagering options including Win, Place, Show, Exacta, Trifecta, and Superfecta on the Derby.

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