Hollyn Bootie Wins GI Zia QH Futurity
Rig Time Ties Track Record in Sierra Blanca Handicap
Photo of Hollyn Bootie by Jake Rogers, courtesy of Ruidoso Downs
RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM – JULY 26, 2020 – Zia Festival Weekend concluded with a flurry of stakes races today at Ruidoso Downs Race Track including the featured Grade I Zia QH Futurity which was won by Hollyn Bootie. Hollyn Bootie, who ran the 400 yards in 19.85, is owned by Mark and Fay Annette McCloy who also won the Zia Derby yesterday with their horse Mister Riptide.
The gray filly by Big Daddy Cartel out of Datona Doll by Jesse James Jr, is named after Hollyn Mitchell, a granddaughter of the McCoys who celebrated her 9th birthday on Friday. She comes out of the barn of Blane Wood.
“Once our filly broke it was over,” said trainer Wood. “She flew right down the race track and finished strong.”
In her previous starts, Hollyn Bootie has been ridden by Ricky Ramirez. However today, jockey Tanner Thedford was aboard for the victory.
“I worked this horse back on Blane’s ranch, and we all knew it could run,” said Thedford. “All she needed was a clean break, and that’s what we got today. She did all the work.”
Hollyn Bootie is nominated in the All American Futurity. Trainer Wood indicated that the connections will make a decision about whether she competes in the trials.
“We’ll see how she comes back, but she’s our best state-bred,” said Wood.
Hollyn Bootie’s win was a bit of a surprise at the betting windows as a $2 win ticket returned $32. Morning line favorite Woodys Gold ran second and race time favorite Vine Master ran third.
In another interesting storyline today, Rig Time, a 5-year-old gelding owned by Larry and Harry Teague tied the track record with their win in the Sierra Blanca Handicap. Rig Time covered 5 ½ furlongs in a time of 1:02 seconds, the exact time set by Rocky Gulch in 2003. Strangely, that horse was also owned by Larry Teague. Rocky Gulch was the first New Mexico-bred horse to earn $1 million.
“You would think breaking one track record would be good enough, but breaking your own track record is something else altogether,” said Larry Teague
The story gets even better. In 1992, Larry and Harry Teague owned Jack Wilson, a horse who at one time held the track record for 5 ½ and 6 furlongs.
Here is a quick recap of each of the stakes races featured on the program today:
Race 1 - Zia 870 Championship | $50,000 | 870 Yards | 3YO & up
The Zia 870 Championship, a $50,000 handicap for 3-year-olds and older, kicked off the day’s racing program. With the track still listed as muddy from overnight rain, Wascallywittlewabbit led the field to the wire in :45.089 to win the first of seven stakes races on the program. Owned by Rogers Farms, Wascallywittlewabbit was ridden by Benito Baca and is trained by Mike Joiner who also trains the second-place finisher Regards Miracle. Hollywood Henry finished third.
Race 3 – Land of Enchantment | $50,000 | 7 ½ Furlongs | 3YO & up
In the second stakes race of the day, Next Affair dominated the field winning the 7 ½ furlong race by 4 lengths with a time of 1:33.44. The gelding, by Diabolical out of Burning Affair by Twin Spires, is owned by Chase Carter and Levi James. He is trained by Joel Marr and was ridden by jockey Luis Fuentes. Mister Kowen, a gelding also by Diabolical, finished second and Sea Emperor ran third.
Race 5 – Sierra Blanca Handicap | $50,000 | 5 ½ Furlongs | 3YO & up
The gray gelding Rig Time was impressive in his three-length win in the $50,000 Sierra Blanca Handicap. Owned by Larry and Harry Teague, Rig Time is trained by Weston Martin and was ridden by Isaias Enriquez. He hit the wire with a time of 1:02.00, which tied the existing track record set by Rocky Gulch in 2003. The Teagues were also the owners of Rocky Gulch. Wheredoesthecashgo ran second and Del Mar Summer ran third.
Race 6 – Road Runner Handicap | $50,000 | 5 ½ Furlongs | 3YO & up
Cerveza, a dark brown gelding by Attila’s Storm out of Streakin Excess by In Excess, nabbed the trophy for the $50,000 Road Runner Handicap in today’s sixth race. Trained by Todd Fincher, Cerveza is owned by Joan Dale Hubbard and Paul Blanchard. Luis Fuentes was aboard for the 5 ½ furlong ride. Effort N Results finished second and Shame On Powers was third.
Race 7 – Zia QH Juvenile | $50,000 | 400 Yards | 2YO
In the Zia QH Juvenile, the consolation to the Zia Futurity, Bigg Dee came away with the win in the 400-yard race. Owned by Rex Wells, the black gelding by Big Daddy Cartel out of Miss Woody Dee by Woodbridge, comes out of the barn of James Gonzales, II. Jockey Mario Delgado was the winning rider. Out N Gone was the second finisher and Famous Clyde was third.
Race 8 – Lincoln Handicap | $50,000 | 6 Furlongs | 3YO & up
Once the gates opened, there was never a question if Waltzing Attila would win. The dark brown mare ran the 6 furlongs in 1:10.42 and bested the rest of the field by four lengths. Owned by Wesley and Glenda Gray, she is by Attila’s Storm out of Super Sister by Your Eminence. She is trained by Nancy Summers and was ridden today by jockey Luis Negron. Let It Roll was the second-place finisher and Flight Song ran third.
Racing continues next Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at Ruidoso Downs Race Track. Friday and Saturday’s programs feature trials for the John Deere Ruidoso Downs Juvenile and the Adequan Ruidoso Downs Challenge. Sunday’s highlights include two stakes races, the Bobby Dan Crenshaw Memorial Stakes and the Mr. Jet Moore Handicap.
Post time is 1:00 PM MDT each day. At this time, the Turf Club and the Jockey Club are limited to 50% capacity due to the Public Health Order from the State of New Mexico. For more information on how to watch online, place your bet with your favorite online wagering provider, or conduct drive-thru wagering, please visit RaceRuidoso.com.