Doodah Cartel, one of the marquee stars of California Breeders Champions Night, puts his unblemished 2026 record on the line in the $160,000 Governor’s Cup Derby (RG2).

© William Zuazo

By Orlando Gutierrez

CYPRESS, CA–JULY 24, 2026–Thompson Racing, Paul Jones, and Alexis Andrade’s Doodah Cartel, one of the marquee stars of California Breeders Champions Night, puts his unblemished 2026 record on the line this Saturday in the $160,000 Governor’s Cup Derby (RG2) at 400 yards.

Looking to extend his flawless season to 6-for-6, the son of Favorite Cartel is chasing an extraordinary sweep of the meet's first three major derbies featuring males, having already captured the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Winter Derby and Grade 2 El Primero Del Año Derby. A victory would boost his career earnings past $400,000 and push his 2026 haul near $230,000.

Doodah Cartel enters as the top qualifier following a :19.656 trial score off a 97-day layoff. Regular rider Henry Reynoso Lopez, who has been aboard for all five of the colt's wins this year, will navigate from post nine—a stark contrast to his rail trip in the trials.

“He was out 97 days before this last race,” co-owner Terry Thompson said following the trials. “He was in such good form, and then we turned him out for a little bit of time. You hope they come back still ready to run, and he showed us tonight that he is ready to run. He loves what he does.”

A win would also add to Paul Jones’ record as the all-time leading trainer on Champions Night. Jones currently boasts 34 career victories on Champions Night.

Standing in the favorite's path is a formidable cast of rivals, led by the exceptionally resilient Brother Ray. Owned by Steve Burns, Jose Antonio Flores, Gerardo Herrera, and Javier Alvarez, the multiple major stakes finalist won his trial in a sharp :19.730—the third-fastest qualifying time of the night. Having pushed Doodah Cartel to a hard-fought half-length in the El Primero final, Brother Ray remains a major threat to derail the leader's streak.

Mike Casselman’s Mayor Humdinger, who posted the second-fastest qualifying time (:19.716) when chasing Doodah Cartel in their heat, looks to become only the ninth horse in history—and first since Powerful Favorite in 2018–19—to complete the Governor's Cup Futurity-Derby double.

Adding further intrigue to the lineup are talented 3-year-olds hoping to spring an upset on the division's top names, including Ed Allred’s homebred Hurry Up and Erik Flores’ Mastros.

The boys in this race will be joined by a formidable five-filly contingent, with each aiming to become the first female runner to win the Governor’s Cup Derby since Scoop Of Sunshine in 2013:

• Fancy Upp: Three-time graded finalist; 3rd in the 2025 Governor's Cup Futurity.
• Slatedtoshine: La Pacifica Stakes winner; 4th in the 2025 Governor's Cup Futurity.
• French Valley: 2nd in the Grade 1 Ed Burke Million Futurity.
• Shiny New: 3rd in the Grade 1 Ed Burke; trial runner-up to Brother Ray.
• Walk When I Walk: Grade 1 finalist.

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