Stolis Winner qualifies for all American Derby

Stolis Winner, the reigning world champion Quarter Horse, finished third in his seasonal debut Friday at Ruidoso Downs but still qualified for a spot in next month's Grade 1, $624,784 All-American Derby.

Stolis Winner made his first start since Nov. 15 in the fifth race, one of five 440-yard trials in which 46 horses attempted to qualify for the 10 available spots in the All-American Derby. Stolis Winner's trial produced five qualifiers to the Sept. 6 finale. He stumbled at the start and finished three-quarters of a length behind winner and fastest qualifier Fantastic Corona Jr.

The race went in 21.13 seconds, with Stolis Winner covering the distance in 21.21 to rank as the third fastest qualifier Friday. Heath Taylor trains Stolis Winner for Jerry Windham.

Fantastic Corona Jr. was a $40,000 supplement to the trials and one of five horses trainer Paul Jones qualified to the All-American Derby. The others were Inseparable (21.34), Royal Proclamation (21.35), Fearless Fritz (21.46) and Brenda Beautiful (21.47).

Chip Woolley, who trains Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird, qualified Louisianafeature One to the All-American Derby. The horse won the first trial on the card, in 21.42. The other qualifiers Friday were One Diamond Kitty (21.15), King Brimmerton (21.23), and Zamron (21.47).

Stolis Winner's championship season included wins in the Heritage Place and Rainbow futurities in 2008. He also finished first in the All-American Futurity, but was disqualified because of a caffeine positive in a decision that has been appealed and will move into an administrative hearing on Dec. 1.