Big Win For 13-1 Longshot Jr Sakes Alive In The $88,950 Wyoming Derby

EVANSTON, WY–AUGUST 10, 2024–Jr Sakes Alive defeated fastest qualifier from the trials and stablemate, Docs Blazin Gal, by a 1/2-length for the upset in the $88,850 Wyoming Downs Derby on Saturday.

Jr Sakes Alive, piloted by Cristian Aguirre-Erives, broke first from the gates and dueled to the wire for the win in :20.060 seconds. She clocked a 93 speed index while running into a 22 mph headwind. The longshot's 400-yard victory paid $29.20 on 13-1 odds.

Jesus Valenzuela rode Docs Blazin Gal to his second-place finish. The heavy favorite crossed the wire a 1/2-length ahead of Jkh Almost A Dynasty, who was disqualified from third to sixth for interference. Marfason, with Juan Rivas in the irons, moved up to third.

The $40,871 winner's share of the purse boosted Jr Sakes Alive's earnings to $96,040. The victory improved her record to 6-1-3 from 13 starts with two stakes wins, including the Energy Downs AQHA Bonus Challenge Stakes in June.

J R Stables bred the daughter of Pappasito in Nevada out of JR Mahalia by One Famous Eagle. Kylie Valenzuela trains Jr Sakes Alive for owner CG Racing LLC and runner-up Docs Blazin Gal for owner-breeder Pedro Mena.

Docs Blazin Gal has lit the board every out from eight starts with five career victories and $68,289 in the bank. The daughter of Docs Best Card is out of Blazin Mean by First Moonflash.

Third-place finisher Marfason has one win from nine starts with $48,590 in earnings. The Marfa Light gelding placed second in the Sweetwater Downs Futurity last season. Trainer Ross Brown owns the Texas-bred gelding in partnership with Elsha McGarry, and Andy Knight bred him out of Hr Excessive Ivory by Ivory James.

Dusty Cowboy, Tempting Cowboy, Jkh Almost A Dynasty, Pappas Fame, Bella Lady, Jess Favorite Alina, and Blue Jean Blues complete the order of finish.

Editor's note: A photo of this race will be posted with this article as soon as it is available from the track photographer.