n the Vee and jockey Jacob Cardenas will headline the second trial for the $75,000-added 307 Horse Racing Wyoming Bred Quarter Horse Derby on Friday at Wyoming Downs.

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By Louanne Wainscott, StallioneSearch

EVANSTON, WY–JUNE 3, 2026–The Friday afternoon card at Wyoming Downs will spotlight the state's top three-year-old Quarter Horses as fifty-five Wyoming-bred sophomores compete in six trial heats for a shot at the $75,000-added 307 Horse Racing Wyoming Bred Quarter Horse Derby. The ten fastest qualifiers from the 350-yard trials will earn their place in the June 20 final, setting the stage for one of the premier Wyoming-bred events of the season.

The derby hopefuls will take center stage in races two through seven, where every stride will count as contenders battle for a coveted berth in the championship final.

Trainer Jess R. Matt will be heavily represented throughout the afternoon, sending out eleven starters in the six trial heats. Leading his powerful group is In the Vee, the 5-2 morning-line favorite in the second trial, scheduled as race three.

The accomplished gelding enters the trials with an impressive resume, including six career victories and $148,663 in earnings for owner Eddie Jensen. Earlier this year, he qualified for the $56,000 Dan Lockie Derby and finished fifth after encountering traffic and being bumped during the race. As a two-year-old, he established himself as one of Wyoming’s top juveniles by capturing the $183,000 WABRA Wyoming Bred Futurity.

The son of Junior June Bug is out of the Brindis Por Cayenne mare Brindis Secret and was bred in Wyoming by Dan and Kim Lapierre. He will break from post seven with Jacob Cardenas aboard as he seeks to add another major accomplishment to his already impressive career.

Matt's barn will also be represented by another proven stakes winner, Mv Paint Me Jess, the 7-2 morning-line favorite in the fourth trial heat, race five.

The talented gelding stood out in his juvenile campaign, winning the $154,000 Ron Cook Accredited Wyoming Bred Futurity. With three wins from nine starts and earnings of $126,276, he has consistently competed at a high level for owner Eddie Jensen.

Bred in Wyoming by Ron and Laurie Moosman, Mv Paint Me Jess is a son of Jess Paint Me out of the Separatist mare Separate Encounter. He will leave from post six under Jacob Cardenas as he seeks to secure his spot in the June 20 final.

With a large, competitive field of Wyoming-bred sophomores set to enter the starting gate, Friday’s trials promise plenty of drama and fast times. Established stakes winners, rising contenders, and championship hopefuls will all be chasing the same goal: a place in the 307 Horse Racing Wyoming Bred Quarter Horse Derby final and a chance to race for one of the season’s richest Wyoming-bred prizes.

The races at Wyoming Downs can be watched on Q-Racing Video.

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