Carteljess Pyw Sets Top Mark In Bitterroot Derby Trials On Friday at Pocatello Downs

POCATELLO, ID–JULY 12, 2024–Carteljess Pyw was a gate-to-wire winner over recent Idaho Cup Derby winner Walking Thru to set the fastest qualifying time from two trials contested today for the Bitterroot Derby at Pocatello Downs.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will return to Pocatello Downs on Friday, July 26, to vie for the winner's share of a $15,000-added purse going 400 yards.

Carteljess Pyw bounced off a troubled effort in her last start when she was moved from fourth to last in the $23,837 Weber Downs Derby to post the fastest derby trial clocking today of 19.953 seconds, a 94-speed index into a 13 mph crosswind.

Jockey Cristian Aguirre-Erives had the riding call aboard the Oklahoma-bred daughter of leading sire Favorite Cartel for trainer Juan Hernandez. Jose Sierra and Karla Diaz Gomez own the brown filly from the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Jess Paint Ur Wagon.

Bred by Terry and Irene Stennett, Carteljess Pyw has won three of nine career starts, including the Elko Intermountain Futurity last year. Also a finalist in the Grade 2 Louisiana Downs Futurity, she has banked $27,336.

Second trial runner-up Walking Thru, winner of the $28,390 Idaho Cup Derby in May, posted the second-fastest clocking of 20.018 seconds, a 93-speed index. Jockey Oscar Villa rode the stakes-winning daughter of Bodacious Dash for owner Miguel Camacho and trainer Martin Vega.

Edward and Von Zae McNelis bred Walking Thru in Idaho from the Fire And Corona mare Awesome Gift. The three-time winner, including the Roche Equine Derby (not black type), has earned $28,959.

CLICK HERE for a list of Bitterroot Derby finalists with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, and jockeys.

Editor's note: A photo of the fastest qualifier will be posted with this article when it becomes available from the track photographer.