Instygator, a three-year-old gelding, turned the tables on triple crown hopeful Empressum and won the $929,225 All American Derby at Ruidoso Downs Race Track on Sunday.

It was Instygator’s first stakes victory and seventh career win for the gelding that had previously finished second in last year’s All American Futurity, the Texas Classic Futurity at Lone Star Park, and this year’s Heritage Place Derby at Remington Park.

“Once my horse broke he gained momentum and gave me everything I asked for,” jockey Juan Pulido said in the winner’s circle. “I feel very fortunate right now to have this opportunity.”

Instygator was the 2-1 second choice in the betting and paid $6.00, $3.60, and $3.00. The winning time for 440-yards was 20.912 seconds. Instygator’s sire is Ivory James out of the mare Eye Popping by Mr Eye Opener. The gelding is owned by Barboza Racing Corporation and trained by Santos Carrizales, Jr.

Empressum, who was seeking a derby triple crown having won the Ruidoso and Rainbow Derbies this summer at Ruidoso Downs, failed to break sharply and finished fifth.

The $439,884 All American Oaks was won by top qualifier Apollitical Daizies in an upset over heavy favorite Whistle Stop Café. The filly broke on top and held off the World Champion, handing the filly her first and only defeat in ten career races.

“When my filly broke like she did I quickly became confident that we were going to be okay,” jockey Mario Delgado said. “Having the filly right behind us helped my horse stay focused on her business.”

Apollitical Daizies is sired by Apollitical Jess out of the mare Pushing Dazies by Strawflyin Buds. She is owned by Victor Lozano and trained by Martin Orona, Sr. She paid $19.20, $4.00, and $3.20 in a time of 21.051 seconds for 440-yards.

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In the $100,000 All American Invitational, Dulce Sin Tacha stormed home a gate-to-wire easy winner by a half-length to please the crowd of bettors who bet the colt down to sixty cents on the dollar. Dulce Sin Tacha paid $3.20, $2.60, and $2.10 in a winning time of 21.171 seconds for 440-yards.

“It’s one of the best three-year-olds in training,” jockey Rodrigo Vallejo said in the winner’s circle. “The colt ran fast and easy. No issues today.”

Dulce Sin Tacha is owned by Bobby and Jerry Gaston and trained by Health Taylor. Her sire is Jess Good Candy out of the mare Prissy Sin Tacha by Tempting Dash.

The final day of the 2021 racing season at Ruidoso Downs is on Monday featuring the $3 Million All American Futurity. First post is schedule for Noon