Fastest Qualifier AJ Remember Me Goes Gate-to-Wire in $165,600 Bluegrass Derby

Fastest qualifier AJ Remember Me proved best again Sunday, going gate-to-wire to capture the inaugural $165,600 Bluegrass Derby at Sandy Ridge Racing and remains undefeated in 2026.

Sent off as the 1-3 favorite with jockey Cordarelton Benn aboard, AJ Remember Me broke on top and held a determined Parajax at bay throughout the 400-yard final. The 3-year-old colt prevailed by a head in :19.310, earning a 105 speed index over a wet-fast, sealed racing surface with a 7 mph crosswind.

The victory was worth $69,552 and marked AJ Remember Me's second stakes win of the season. He opened his 2026 campaign with a victory in the Oklahoma Derby-G3 at Remington Park and has yet to be defeated this year.

AJ Remember Me has now won seven of 11 career starts with two seconds and two thirds while earning $634,784. His success this season follows a strong freshman campaign in which he finished second in the Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity-G1 and third in both the Ruidoso Futurity-G1 and Ah Sigh Handicap Stakes.

The versatile colt has competed at tracks across the country, from California to Kentucky, while building a résumé that includes three Grade 1 placings and two stakes victories.

Waylan Melton trains AJ Remember Me for owner Corinna Sosa. Rancho El Cabresto Inc. bred the son of leading sire Apollitical Jess from the Tres Seis mare Remember Robyn. He was a $120,000 purchase at the 2024 Heritage Place Yearling Sale.

Parajax stayed with the winner throughout and finished a game second, just a head back, earning a 104 speed index and $29,808. The placing gave the Dulce Sin Tacha colt his first black-type stakes placing.

Parajax has won three of 14 career starts with six seconds and two thirds while earning $78,153. Samuel Valdivia trains him for owner Edder Montes, and Roman Cruz was aboard. Corner K Quarter Horses LLC bred Parajax from the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Rusty Rose II. He was a $27,000 purchase at the 2024 Heritage Place Yearling Sale.

Bandita rallied late to finish third, three-quarters of a length behind Parajax, earning a 101 speed index and $16,560. The Kvn Corona filly was a finalist in the Rainbow Oaks-G1 earlier this season at The Downs at Albuquerque. During her freshman campaign, she finished third in the Holiday Handicap Stakes and was a finalist in the Ah Sigh Handicap.

Bandita has compiled a 2-3-3 record from 14 starts with earnings of $53,039. Joseph Davis trains her for owner LCI, LLC, and Jimmy Dean Brooks had the riding call. J. Garvan Kelly and J. Lloyd Yother bred Bandita from the Desirio mare Desired Effect. She was a $15,000 purchase at the 2024 Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale.

Train Station Tours, Candy Jar, Shez An Outgoing Gal, Fdd Perfect Strike, Cynter Of Attention and Swift D Swyft completed the order of finish. Wr Hott Shott was scratched.

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