The Inside Track by Tim Keithley: Jockey Ramirez Ready to Win All American with Whistle Stop Café

If there’s a jockey in Monday’s All American Futurity lineup that’s hungry for the winner’s circle it’s Ricky Ramirez. He’ll take that appetite to the starting gate with Whistle Stop Café, the undefeated filly named after a restaurant in breeder Bobby Cox’s hometown of Weatherford, Texas.

“I’ve raced in the All American a bunch of times and finished in about every spot but first,” Ricky said in the barn area this week at Ruidoso Downs while grooming the filly. She’s the 3-1 favorite in the race and will wear number-seven.

This could be Ricky’s best chance to win the All American and achieve his career goal at age 35. He rode her to victory in the $1 million Rainbow Futurity and then qualified for the All American with ease winning her trial August 21. She’s won five straight races including the Heritage Place Juvenile at Remington Park.

“We’re a good fit for each other,” Ricky said. “She been perfect in all the time that we’ve been together, so there’s some pressure to keeping her that way. I helped brake her back on our training ranch in Lubbock last fall, and she didn’t really stand out until we got her to Remington in the spring. Now she’s the fastest horse in the barn.”

Trainer Blane Wood has asserted that Whistle Stop Café is the fastest filly he’s ever trained. That’s saying a mouthful.

Today, Ricky is considered one of the top jockeys in the nation with nearly 1,300 career wins and $36 million in earnings. His career win percentage is 17-percent. He’s won nearly every major stakes race other than the All American. “I really want to win it,” Ricky said. “When I was just a child, I remember my family would make the drive from Odessa every year just to watch the All American. They still make the same trip to watch me ride. I’m grateful for my family’s support.”

Ricky qualified two horses for Monday’s final, Whistle Stop Café and Caliente Caramelo for trainer Blane Wood. Ricky rides almost exclusively for the Wood barn.

“We’re a team effort,” Ricky said. “There are many that share a roll in our success. But it’s a horse race and anything can happen. If she breaks, I think we’re going to be in good shape.”