Cowboy Cadilac, owned by Sheridan resident Bill Doenz, exploded out of the gate and won the $250,000 Sweetwater Downs Quarter Horse Futurity by 1-1/2 lengths on Saturday, September 6.
Breaking from post eight in a field of nine (following Kit Karsyn’s scratch), the son of Flying Cowboy 123 easily cleared the field at the start under jockey Juan Pulido, despite drifting inward through the stretch. The bay colt finished in 17.26 seconds, just 22 seconds off the track record for the 350-yard distance. The Oklahoma-bred won his third race in a row. With the $100,000 winner’s share, the Josh Taylor trainee’s lifetime earnings now total $110,000.
“This horse is really fast, I got a good break, but he has a little problem with lugging in,” Pulido explained. “I let him run the last 250 yards but kept a good hold on him. He could have broken the track record if he had stayed straight.” Pulido described it as a homecoming, saying, “I feel like Sweetwater Downs is my second home.” I got my license here after starting out at Arapahoe Park. I didn’t qualify for the All American this year, but I love this track, and this win gives me confidence for the future,” said jockey Juan Pulido.
Daisy Carson and Joe Goggins’ Deja Dulce, the post-time co-favorite, won the head bob despite an awkward gate break under Jacob Cardenas. Roberto Ortizs’ Fooseylady, the other co-favorite in the race, closed late and finished third with jockey Minor Arana.
The $250,000 Futurity was the richest race held in the Cowboy State, attracting top performers and jockeys from across the Southwest, including two jockeys who had previously won the All American Futurity and Derby. “We are very proud of how the Sweetwater Futurity has grown over the years,” Sweetwater Downs President Eugene Joyce stated. “We had world-class horsemen and jockeys point to our event this year and we look forward to building on that momentum in 2026.”
Sweetwater Downs continues to host racing this weekend. Saturday, September 13, will feature 11 quarter horse trials for the $75,000 Wyoming-Bred Quarter Horse Futurity (WABRA). Eighty-eight (88) two-year-olds will go to the post hoping to qualify for the $182,950 final on Saturday, September 27.
Thoroughbreds will also take center stage in the $25,000 Sweetwater Thoroughbred Futurity for two-year-olds at five and one-half furlongs and the $25,000 Exacta Stakes for older horses at six and one-half furlongs. On tap. Saturday features 13 races, with a 1 p.m. start time. After the races on Saturday, a horsemen’s barbecue will be held at the Sweetwater Events Complex.
On Sunday, September 14, trials will be held for the $50,000 WABRA Wyoming Bred Quarter Horse Derby and the $35,000 WABRA. The top ten qualifiers from each event’s trials will return to compete in the finals on Saturday, September 27.
Racing continues through September 28, with a seven-race Friday card beginning at 4 p.m. that includes a special happy hour (4-5 p.m.) and 1-2-3 Friday concession specials ($1 popcorn, $2 soft drinks, and $3 hot dogs).
Wyoming Horse Racing accepts bets at any of the ten Horse Palace locations, which include Casper, Cheyenne, Evanston, Gillette, Green River, Rock Springs, and Sheridan.
Sweetwater Downs is situated in the Sweetwater Events Complex at 3320 Yellowstone Road in Rock Springs.
Find the racing schedule, race-day live streams, and other live racing information here.
Big Horn Polo Club’s Pegasus Cup
The Big Horn Polo Club was established in 1898. Today’s (August 17, 2025) match was the Pegasus Polo Cup in the Big Horn Mountains’ foothills. Spectators are encouraged to attend Sunday polo for an afternoon of tailgating! The admission is free! There are bleachers and an announcer at each Sunday game. Concessions are available for food and beverages. Gallery credit: Kolby Fedore, Townsquare Media.
Wyoming Honor Farm Wild Horse Program
Inmates and horses have been working together near Riverton since 1988. Inmate trainers work to make horses and wild burros gentle and manageable. They will put halters on the horses and begin riding them, after which they will be available for adoption throughout the year. Gallery credit: Kolby Fedore, Townsquare Media.
