Four Sweet Kid Completes Desert Classic Double With Derby Victory at Turf Paradise Saturday

PHOENIX, AZ—FEBRUARY 22, 2025—Desert Classic Futurity winner Four Sweet Kid made it a double when he defeated Set The Edge, as the post-time favorite, by a neck in the $40,000 Desert Classic Derby at Turf Paradise Saturday.

Making his first start as a 3-year-old under jockey Oscar Andrade, Jr., Four Sweet Kid took a quick lead and dueled throughout to complete the 350 yards in 17.577 seconds, a 95-speed index. It was the third win in six starts for the son of multiple stakes sire One Sweet Jess.

Trainer Diego Cervantes conditions the Arizona-bred gelding for owner-breeder Jose Aguilar Mendoza. He is out of the Kiddy Up mare Loud Little Kid.

Winner of the 2024 Desert Classic Futurity and second in the AQHRA Futurity last December, Four Sweet Kid used the $24,000 derby winner's purse today to increase his earnings total to $80,633.

Runner-up Set The Edge, ridden by jockey Kevin Carbajal, dueled all the way to earn $8,000 for second. Alex Torres-Casas owns and trains the son of multiple stakes sire Kvn Corona from the One Famous Eagle mare Famous Little Riba. McColee Land & Livestock LLC bred the bay gelding in Utah. Winless in 12 starts he has earned $30,880.

Ride Em Cowboy put in a steady effort under jockey Kody Kellenberger to finish three-quarters back in third. Matthew Fales conditions the son of second-crop sire Tell Cartel for owner-breeders Ralph and Carolyn Fales. Winner of last year's AQRA Turf Paradise Open Futurity Consolation, Ride Em Cowboy has earned $20,586 in six career starts. Bred in Arizona he is out of the Texas Icon mare Cowgirl N Up.

Ruff An Rowdy, Zoomin On Home, Hp Ridge Runner, and Sweet Fire Wes completed the field.