Derby, Juvenile Challenge Trials Set for Will Rogers Downs

BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI

CLAREMORE, OK—SEPTEMBER 11, 2020—Eleven 3-year-olds, headed by Tom and Kathleen McNally’s Jess My Hocks, are entered in Sunday’s 400-yard Adequan Will Rogers Derby Challenge trials at Will Rogers Downs.

A homebred son of Kiss My Hocks trained by Michelle Hurdle, Jess My Hocks has earned $53,909 from five outs in Oklahoma this season, and the sorrel gelding was a finalist in the April 18, 400-yard Remington Park Derby (RG2), and the May 30, $232,000 Heritage Place Derby (G2). Jess My Hocks drew post 3 and will be ridden by Mario Delgado in the second of two trials.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will meet in the October 4, $30,000-added Adequan Will Rogers Derby Challenge.

Also on Sunday, 14 2-year-olds are entered in two 350-yard John Deere Will Rogers Juvenile Challenge trials.

Empressum, a homebred Apollitical Jess colt trained by Guillermo Valdivia for owners Jeff Jones and Steve Holt, drew post 4 and will be ridden by Armando Ramirez II in the first heat. Empressum has earned $56,621 from five starts this year, and he is coming off of a Ruidoso Downs summer campaign during which he was a finalist in the 400-yard, $1-million Rainbow Futurity (G1) on July 19.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will meet in the $30,000-added John Deere Will Rogers Juvenile Challenge final on October 4.