Whiskey Creek ($54.20) surprises in All American Derby
Whiskey Creek, appearing in his first major stakes final, scored an upset in Sunday’s $1,199,686 All American Derby for 3-year-old Quarter Horses at Ruidoso Downs on a day when three of his leading rivals failed to produce challenges.
Earlier on the program, Ezee Money won her second major stakes of the summer in the $714,734 All American Oaks for fillies, all but assuring she will be named champion 3-year-old filly of 2023.
Whiskey Creek ($54.20) ran 440 yards in 21.45 seconds, winning for the second time in five starts this year for Wootan Racing and Roger Beasley and trainer Toby Keeton. Beasley is a co-owner of Practical Move, the winner of the Santa Anita Derby for Thoroughbreds in April.
Whiskey Creek, who was ridden by Ramon Sanchez, finished a neck in front of 9-1 Chasing Aj, who was third in the $3 million All American Futurity in 2022.
Hooked N Gone, winner of the Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Derby in April, finished third at 22-1, a head behind Chasing Aj.
Delight Interest, the fastest qualifier from time trials on Aug. 13, finished seventh at 5-2, beaten 1 1/2 lengths.
Cyber Attack, winner of the $895,633 Ruidoso Derby at 400 yards in June, finished eighth at 9-2, a neck in front of 6-5 favorite Sicario V, the winner of the $804,288 Rainbow Derby at 440 yards on July 15.
Sicario V brushed with Delight Interest at the start, but otherwise had no apparent excuse. Cyber Attack was second to Whiskey Creek early, but faded through the final 200 yards.
Whiskey Creek, by Apollitical Jess, earned $503,868 in the All American Derby, and has earned $525,186 in his 11-race career. Whiskey Creek has four wins.
Ezee Money ($9.80) ran 440 yards in 21.38 seconds as the third choice in a field of 10. The All American Oaks was the richest race in history for Quarter Horse 3-year-old fillies.
Ridden by Adrian Ramos, Ezee Money was at the back of the field early, but closed well to win by a head over 10-1 Fearless Moon. Cartel Kisses (7-1) finished third by a half-length, and was a nose in front of 2-1 favorite Jes an Angel, the champion 2-year-old filly of 2022.
Only nine finished. Apollitical Chick V sustained an injury in the final 100 yards and was pulled up in front of the stands.
The injury occurred less than two weeks after New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham ordered the New Mexico State Racing Commission to enact enhanced safety policies and pre-race examinations after seven fatalities occurred in time trials from Aug 11-13.
Ezee Money won the $478,079 Rainbow Oaks for fillies on July 15 for owner Isidoro Esparza and trainer Jaime Aldavez Sr. The Rainbow Oaks briefly held the distinction of being the richest race for 3-year-old Quarter Horse fillies at that time.
Ezee Money, by One Fabulous Eagle, has won 6 of 13 starts and earned $598,063. Considering the prestige of major stakes at Ruidoso Downs, the wins in the Rainbow and All American Oaks may be enough to propel Ezee Money to the divisional title even with nearly four months remaining in the year.
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