In The Vee Edges Stablemate In $169,261 WABRA Wyoming Bred Derby

In The Vee continued an outstanding sophomore campaign Saturday afternoon at Sweetwater Downs, edging stablemate Mv Paint Me Jess by a half-length to capture the $169,261 WABRA Wyoming Bred QH Derby [R].

Sent off as the 3-10 favorite, In The Vee showed good speed from the outset before edging clear late under jockey Jacob Cardenas. The sorrel gelding completed the 400 yards in :19.818, earning a 94 speed index over a fast racing surface. A 14-mph crosswind was recorded for the race.

The victory was worth $70,160 for owner Eddie Jensen and increased In The Vee's career earnings to $304,053. Trained by Jess R. Matt, the Wyoming-bred gelding has compiled 11 wins, two seconds and one third from 16 career starts.

Dan or Kim Lapierre bred In The Vee, a 3-year-old son of Junior June Bug from the Brindis Por Cayenne mare Brindis Secret. His stakes résumé now includes victories in the WABRA Wyoming Bred Futurity, WABRA Wyoming Bred Derby, Bucking Horse Sale Futurity and Young Ford Wyoming Derby. He was also second in the 307HR Wyoming Bred Derby and third in the Wyoming Bred Futurity.

Mv Paint Me Jess completed a one-two finish for owner Eddie Jensen and trainer Jess R. Matt, finishing a half-length behind his stablemate to earn $35,080. Cerapio Figueroa rode the 3-year-old gelding.

Bred in Wyoming by Ron and Laurie Moosman, Mv Paint Me Jess is by Jess Paint Me from the Separatist mare Separate Encounter. He has won four of 14 career starts with three seconds and three thirds while earning $173,518. His record includes a victory in the Ron Cook Wyoming Bred Futurity and a runner-up effort in the WABRA Wyoming Bred Derby. He has also been a finalist in the KC Carden Wyoming Bred Derby and Dan Lockie Derby.

Fly The Flag finished another neck behind Mv Paint Me Jess in third and earned $17,540 for owner, breeder and trainer Stan Young. Juan Carlos Rivas was aboard the Wyoming-bred gelding.

A son of Fly Thru The Fire from the Stoli mare Eagle Nation, Fly The Flag has won five of 13 career starts with two seconds and two thirds and earnings of $56,194. Saturday's third-place finish in the WABRA Wyoming Bred Derby added to a record that includes a finalist appearance in the Wyoming Bred Futurity.

Zoomin Diamond finished fourth, followed by Miss Pollys Train, Jess Checkem Out, Jv Dashing Lady, My Dynasty, and Paint Me Ivory. Kcross Lever Action was scratched.

The WABRA Wyoming Bred QH Derby was restricted to accredited Wyoming-bred 3-year-olds that qualified through trials conducted September 5 at Sweetwater Downs.

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