Heavenly Storm Tops Elko Derby Qualifiers

Heavenly Storm recorded the fastest qualifying time from two trials held Friday for the $15,000-added Elko Derby at the Elko County Fair.

Heavenly Storm won the second trial under jockey Fernando Gamez, completing the 400 yards in :20.146 for a 93 speed index. The gelding moved to the lead midway through the race and finished best on the outside to defeat Dashing Deluxe by a half-length.

Trained by Brent Young, Heavenly Storm is a homebred for owner Gary Whited. The Utah-bred gelding is sired by Genetically Gifted and out of the Valiant Hero mare Heavenly Poison.

Heavenly Storm improved his record to 9-2-2-1 with earnings of $18,513. He entered the trials off a fifth-place finish in the Young Ford Wyoming Downs Derby and also finished fourth in the Golden Spike Derby earlier this season. As a 2-year-old, he finished fourth in the Elko Intermountain Futurity.

Dashing Deluxe finished second behind Heavenly Storm to post the second-fastest qualifying time of :20.204. The filly broke sharply and held the early advantage before being outfinished by the winner.

Owned by Edilberto, Luis and Salvador Gomez and trained by Luis Gomez, Dashing Deluxe was bred by Erin Chrisman. The $8,500 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate is sired by Eagle Deluxe and out of the Heza Fast Dash mare Bipty Dash.

Dashing Deluxe now has a record of 7-4-1-0 with earnings of $9,150. She entered Friday's trials riding a three-race winning streak.

Armed To D Hilt finished third in the second trial to record the third-fastest qualifying time of :20.246. Ridden by Oscar Villa, the gelding raced close to the leaders throughout before finishing three-quarters of a length behind the winner.

Owned by Hemsley Ranch and Lance Hemsley and trained by Sergio Canales, Armed To D Hilt was bred by Cavenaugh Quarter Horses LLC. The $17,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate has compiled a record of 11-0-1-4 with earnings of $4,009.

The $15,000-added Elko Derby final is scheduled for September 7 at the Elko County Fair.

VIEW FULL LIST OF QUALIFIERS HERE.

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