Mystery Derby Trials Set The Stage For An Exciting Finish To Will Rogers Downs Fall Meet

A competitive field of Oklahoma-bred three-year-olds will return to Will Rogers Downs on Sunday, November 1, for three trials for the estimated $75,000 Mystery Derby. The 350-yard trials will be run in races 2 through 4, with the fastest qualifiers advancing to the November 17 final during the closing week of the Will Rogers Downs Fall Meet.

Sunday's program will also feature six trials for the $413,925 Black Gold Colts and Geldings Futurity (RG2) (see related story), scheduled as races 5 through 10. The Black Gold Fillies Futurity (RG2) (see related story), with a purse of $596,420, will hold trials on Monday, November 2. Both Black Gold divisions will return for their respective finals on November 17.

The Mystery Derby trials have drawn 24 entries, including several stakes-experienced runners seeking to close out their three-year-old campaigns with a shot at another championship.

The opening trial, race 2, features Emerald Bay, a six-time winner with $226,417 in career earnings. Owned by Wishbone Partnership and trained by Dee Keener, the daughter of Flying Cowboy 123 enters after a runner-up finish in the $50,000 Will Rogers Downs Oaks on October 19. Emerald Bay previously finished second in the Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Oaks (RG3) and has five wins in nine starts this season. Roman Cruz will ride from post five.

Among the challengers is Jk Double Trouble, a daughter of Apollitical Jess, trained by Victor Ibarra for Regina Laymon. Jk Double Trouble has three career victories, including an allowance win at Fair Meadows on July 2 and another at Remington Park in March. Jonathan Dominguez will ride from post three.

Holliewood, a three-time winner owned by Tom and Bill Maher, will also compete in the opening trial for trainer Jason Olmstead. Holliewood finished third in the 2025 Northlands Futurity and was runner-up in a Canterbury Park Derby trial earlier this year. Francisco Ramirez Jr. will ride from the inside post.

The third and final trial, race 4, features a strong group from the Jason Olmstead barn, including Uncle Redheads, Atsi Monday, Famous N Relentless, and Relentless Wine.

Famous N Relentless enters as the 2-1 morning line favorite. The three-year-old gelding recently won an allowance race in prep for the trials. He has earned qualifications this season to the Ruidoso Invitational, the Grade 1 Rainbow Derby, and second in the Grade 3 Mr Master Bug Stakes.

The son of Hes Relentless is out of the Tres Seis mare Tritoon; he was bred in Oklahoma by Tom Maher and races for owners Tom Maher and Amber Olmstead. Jason Olmstead will saddle him from post five, with jockey Ramiro Garcia up.

Uncle Redheads, a three-time winner, finished third in the August 20 Canterbury Park Derby and previously won a 400-yard derby trial at Canterbury Park. Armando Alvidrez will ride from post seven.

Atsi Monday will break from post four with Francisco Ramirez Jr. aboard, while Relentless Wine completes the Olmstead group from post six, with Jhaciel Soto named to ride.

Also entered in the final trial is Mr Booombastic, a four-time winner trained by Jose Angel Burciaga. The son of Dulce Sin Tacha has earned $79,374 and finished second in the Speedhorse Derby at Fair Meadows in July. Cody Smith will ride from post three.

With three competitive trials scheduled, Sunday's performances will determine which runners advance to the November 17 Mystery Derby final, offering one final chance to earn a stakes victory as the Will Rogers Downs Fall Meet draws to a close.

The races at Will Rogers Downs can be watched on Q-Racing Video.

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