Triple Crown Report - Sun. Sept 3rd, 2023

For immediate release                            Contact:      Tim Keithley
                                                                                         575-937-4708
Sun. September 3rd, 2023                                            tkeithley@raceruidoso.com

TRIPLE CROWN REPORT Presented by:

Whiskey Creek Upsets Field in All American Derby, Ezee Monee Back to Winners Circle in Oaks

Whiskey Creek and jockey Ramon Sanchez, at 25-1 odds, upset the field of top three-year-olds in the $1,199,686 Grade-1 All American Derby at Ruidoso Downs Race Track today.

“When I saw my horse warming-up, I knew we had a winner,” owner Terry Wootan said in the winner’s circle. “The horse just looked so at-ease and we always have felt a great deal of confidence with him.”

Wootan and Roger Beasley own the gelding that is trained by Toby Keeton. Whiskey Creek had a winning time of 21.459 seconds for 440-yards.

“Everyone was right there together and I kept on riding him to the end,” Sanchez said. “I’m so happy right now having been on this fast horse and to have won the All American Derby.”

Whiskey Creek is sired by Apollitical Jess out of the mare Checknbac by Check Him Out. The gelding was a $300,000 sale purchase at the 2021 Ruidoso Select Sale.

The gelding paid $54.20, $17.00 and $9.20 in winning the Derby by a neck over Chasing AJ and Hooked N Gone.

In the $714,734 All American Oaks, Ezee Money and jockey Adrian Ramos made a late charge to overtake Fearless Moon in the final stides and win by a head in a winning time of 21.384 seconds for 440-yards.

“She’s been a slow breaker but she always finishes strong,” Ramos said in the winner’s circle. “Overall she’s had an extremely good summer winning this race plus the Rainbow Oaks too. She’s very talented and showed it again today.”

Ezee Money is owned by Isidoro Esparza and trained by Jaime Aldavas Sr. The filly has six wins in 13 career starts—all of her victories coming at Ruidoso Downs. The filly is sired by One Fabulous Eagle out of the mare Cartel Regards by Corona Cartel and paid $9.80, $4.60 and $3.80.

In the $100,000 All American Invitational, Jess Good Wine and jockey Bryan Candanosa took the lead midway down the stretch and won by a length over Jessa Beast and Out of the Way.

Jess Good Wine is owned by Guns Up Racing and trained by Keeton. The gelding ran the 440-yards in 21.216 seconds and paid $4.60, $3.20 and $2.80. He is sired by Good Reason Sa out of the mare Mr Perrys Wine by Mr Jess Perry.

Racing continues on Monday on the final day of the 2023 season that includes the $3 million All American Futurity, the $250,000 All American Gold Cup, and the $200,000 All American Juvenile. Post time is Noon.