All American Derby Qualifiers

Marcelino Cuanda's Vegas Trick on Sunday posted the fastest qualifying time to the sport's richest race for sophomores, the September 1, $1,076,535 All American Derby (G1).

On Sunday at Albuquerque Downs, Vegas Trick sprinted to a neck victory over second-fastest qualifier Visa in the fourth of eight trials. The sorrel son of Jess Good Candy covered 440 yards in :20.996 while earning a 103 speed index. Emilio Tapia rode the gelding for trainer Jesus Cuanda.

Vegas Trick was making his first start since June 8, when he ran fifth in the 400-yard Ruidoso Derby (G1) at Ruidoso Downs. The gelding was bred in Oklahoma by Bird Ranch and Oil LP, and he sold for $135,000 at the 2022 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale.

Campaigned in two states, including Oklahoma, Vegas Trick has won three of 11 races and has earned $81,218, of which $69,005 has been pocketed from six starts this year.

Visa made his quarter-mile trip in :21.017. Toby Keeton prepped and Bryan Candanosa rode the Corona Cartel colt for owners Simmons Racing, Wootan Racing, and Roger K. Beasley.

Visa was bred in Texas by Simmons Racing, and he was coming off of a second-place finish in the July 27, 440-yard Rainbow Derby (G1) at Albuquerque Downs. The colt has won five of nine races -- including last year's All American Juvenile Stakes at Ruidoso Downs -- and he has banked $262,671.

Other prominent qualifiers include champion and 2023 All American Futurity (G1) winner Cowboys Gun Z, who checked in with the fourth-fastest qualifying time of :21.074. 

Click here for a complete list of All American Derby qualifiers.

AQHA News and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHA Racing on Twitter, "like" Q-Racing on Facebook, and visit www.aqha.com/racing.