Wyoming-Bred Stars Race The Clock in WABRA Futurity Trials At Sweetwater Downs
By Louanne Wainscott
ROCK SPRINGS, WY—September 11, 2026
The Sunday afternoon card at Sweetwater Downs will feature 11 races, with the first post at 1:00 p.m. The afternoon will be full of excitement, highlighted by the $45,018 Cox Ranch Fillies and Mares Regional Distaff Challenge and five trial heats featuring 47 Wyoming-bred juveniles racing the clock for a chance to return to one of the meet’s biggest events.
The WABRA Futurity Trials will kick off the card with races one through five, featuring 2-year-olds competing over 330 yards. The 10 fastest qualifiers from the five heats will return on September 26 for the $100,000-added WABRA Futurity, making every fraction of a second at a premium throughout the afternoon.
Lil Pollys Train, the 5-2 morning-line favorite, leads the group of talented Wyoming-breds in the third trial. The 2-year-old filly has already compiled an impressive juvenile campaign, highlighted by a win in the $285,000 Wyoming Bred Futurity, with three victories.
Last month, Lil Pollys Train added another victory to her record when she broke inward, took command, and held off her competition to win by a neck. Her successful season has pushed her earnings to $157,321.
The Wyoming homebred for Bill Doenz is by Freighttrain B and out of the Apollitical Jess mare Political Bedlam. Josh Taylor prepares the filly to race from the inside rail, with jockey David Alvarez, Jr., aboard.
Jlm Maggieslastdance will lead the fourth trial as the 3-1 morning-line favorite. The gelding enters Sunday with experience against some of the top Wyoming-bred juveniles this season, including a runner-up finish in the $212,000 Ron Cook Wyoming Bred Futurity. He broke second in the final and battled throughout the race, holding the runner-up position by one length.
Earlier this season, Jlm Maggieslastdance also qualified for the $285,000 Wyoming Bred Futurity. Through five career starts, he has earned two victories and two second-place finishes, earning $60,383 for owner Lana Matt.
The son of Eagle Deluxe is out of the Down Side mare Rambling Maggie and was bred in Wyoming by Walter Larson. Jess R. Matt trains the gelding, who will break from post eight with Jacob Cardenas in the saddle.
With 47 Wyoming-bred juveniles spread across five trials, there will be little room for error as each runner chases one of only 10 spots in the WABRA Futurity. Every break, every stride, and every fraction of a second will matter as Sweetwater Downs determines which rising stars will return on September 26 with $100,000 added and a WABRA Futurity title waiting at the finish line.
Combined with the $45,018 Cox Ranch Fillies and Mares Regional Distaff Challenge later on the card, Sunday afternoon will showcase both proven stakes talent and the next generation of Wyoming-bred stars, setting the stage for an action-packed day at Sweetwater Downs.
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