Cowboy Blue Z Sets Top Mark In Grade 3 Oklahoma Derby Trials

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK–MARCH 9, 2025–Grade 1 finalist Cowboy Blue Z got his first win this year on Sunday while posting the top qualifying time for the Grade 3 Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park.

The ten fastest qualifiers from six trial races contested at the Oklahoma City racetrack today will return on Saturday, March 22nd, to vie for the winner's share of a purse valued at $219,635.

Cowboy Blue Z was razor sharp under champion jockey Francisco Calderon, completing the 350 yards in 17.364 seconds, a 97-speed index into a seven-mph crosswind, the day's fastest.

Trainer Michael Joiner conditions the $120,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate for owner West Texas Racing Partners. The son of leading sire Flying Cowboy 123 posted his fifth career win in nine starts, boosting his bankroll to $100,289.

Slash Z Quarter Horses bred the bay colt in Texas from the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Indescribably Blue. Last season, Cowboy Blue Z was fourth in the Oklahoma Futurity(G1) at Remington Park and a finalist in the Texas Classic Futurity(G1).

No less than four other horses drafted into the final behind Cowboy Blue Z in the fourth trial. They include Rocker S, Apollitical Time, Ajs Flashnthachicks, and Fairlea Flyin.

Calderon was back aboard Apollitical Muse in the next trial (race 7) to post the third fastest clocking with Apollitical Muse. The daughter of leading sire Apollitical Jess broke well and finished half-a-length in front while stopping the timer in 17.631 seconds, an 89-speed index into a 7 mph crosswind.

Trainer Jed Vance saddled the Oklahoma-bred to her third win in nine starts. Bred by Rancho El Cabresto, Inc., from the Southern Cartel mare Bp Shes Southern, Apollitical Muse was a finalist in the Mystery Futurity and Black Gold Fillies Futurity last season. She has earned $48,307 in nine starts.

Beast N Me ran second to Apollitical Muse to get the final qualifying spot.

Under jockey Edwin Escobedo, Baby Ruth raced to a one-length win in the second trial to get the sixth fastest clocking of 17.692 seconds, an 88-seed index. Luis Villafranco trains the daughter of champion Jess Good Candy for owner Mi Serenity.

Bobby Simmons bred the filly in Texas from the Corona Cartel mare Jess A Cartel. She has banked $19,141 in six starts.

Nine One Won broke the bubble in the closing trial under jockey Mario Delgado when he clocked the seventh fastest time of 17.692 seconds, also an 88-speed index with a 5 mph tailwind.

Trainer Raul Ramirez saddled the son of champion Tempting Dash to his third career win in 11 starts for owner Jimenas Ranch. Cindi Keeton bred the gelding in Texas from the Jody O Toole mare Not My Choice. A finalist in the Dash For Cash Juvenile he has earned $42,339.

Runner-up Tempt Me Sass also qualified in the closing trial.

CLICK HERE for a list of Oklahoma Derby(G3) qualifiers with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers, and jockeys.