Jess Yaya Scores Governor's Handicap Victory At Sweetwater Downs

Jess Yaya held off his rivals Sunday to capture the $30,000 Governor's Handicap at Sweetwater Downs.

Ridden by David Alvarez Jr., Jess Yaya gained the lead early in the 400-yard event and held gamely through the finish to score by three-quarters of a length. The 6-year-old gelding stopped the clock in :19.950, earning a 91 speed index.

David Newbold trains Jess Yaya for owners Nadine and Ryker Newbold. Bred by Nadine Newbold, the Idaho-bred gelding is sired by Jess Got Easier and out of the Hadtobenuts mare Hadtobebasic. He now has a record of 28-4-7-7 with earnings of $68,639. Jess Yaya entered the race off a fifth-place finish in the Blane Schvaneveldt Stakes and is also a winner of the Idaho Cup Maturity.

Set The Edge finished second under Brandon Guevara for owner Roberto Baeza and trainer Kasey Kemper. After a troubled break, the 4-year-old gelding moved up during the race and finished strongly, crossing the wire in :20.085. Bred by McColee Land & Livestock LLC, the $60,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate is sired by KVN Corona and out of the One Famous Eagle mare Famous Little Reba. He now has a record of 26-3-8-3 with earnings of $94,175. Set The Edge finished second in the Pen Pal Stakes earlier this season.

Ccbrookslittleboy and jockey Daniel Carrillo finished third for owner Juan Carlos Sanchez and trainer Andee Cornia. Despite breaking awkwardly, the gelding turned in a solid effort to finish a nose behind Set The Edge in :20.102. Bred by Misael Lopez-Trujillo, he is sired by Cc Brooks Big Boy and out of the Mark My Dial mare Little Bit Caliente. Ccbrookslittleboy now has a record of 11-3-1-4 with earnings of $23,945.

Fancy Demo, Ha Ha Mesi, Dads Racy Te, Pappas Fame, Tell Jones and Cowboyhatbygucci completed the order of finish. Favorite Semental was scratched.