Trials can be stressful for breeders, owners and trainers as they hope to qualify one runner for the final. Trainer Brad Bolen had a pretty good night on April 25 at Sam Houston Race Park as he qualified three runners for the Saturday's $65,450 Adequan Sam Houston Derby Challenge.

Three 400-yard trials were contested that evening with wins by Rockin The Train (:20.199) and Kick Seis (:20.257) and Party On The Moon finishing second in his trial in :20.411 to clinch the sixth-fastest qualifying time. All three are owned by Deborah Gotovac, who resides in San Angelo, Texas.

“All three are doing well,” said Bolen. “Deborah and I raised Rockin The Train and trained him on the farm. He qualified for the John Deere Juvenile last year, but did not do well in the final. That was his first time running under the lights. We really felt he was going to be a monster this year. Kick Seis grew up this winter. She was always the bridesmaid, but showed more in her trial. Party On the Moon is a New Mexico-bred. We always thought highly of him, and he won two in a row in El Paso.”

Bolen paid tribute to Gotavac for her longstanding support.

“We have been together near 30 years,” he added. “I’m lucky to train for her!”

Rockin The Train, who had the fastest qualifying time, drew post 3 and will be ridden by Nestor Duran.

Runners will be competing for a spot in the Adequan Derby Challenge Championship (G3) to be held October 18 at The Downs at Albuquerque.

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