Trainer Blane Wood Qualifies Three for the Final

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM – AUGUST 21, 2020 – Whistle Stop Cafe, winner of the 2020 Rainbow Futurity, had another great day on the race track as she won the most anticipated trial heat on day one by 1/2-length to advance to the finals of the $3 million Grade I All American Futurity that will be run on Labor Day at Ruidoso Downs. The still-undefeated filly, who ran a swift 21.615 today, comes out of the barn of Blane Wood who also had a banner day as horses from his stable secured three of the five spots that were up for grabs.

Owned by Whitmire Ranch/Lainie Whitmire et al, Whistle Stop Cafe is a Texas-bred runner by Freighttrain out of Sinuous by Mr Jess Perry. Jockey Ricky Ramirez, her only jockey, was aboard for the victory again today.

“This is the best filly I’ve ever trained,” said trainer Wood. “She gives you 110% every time we run her. She seems to explode about half-way through her races and turns it on when it counts.”

Also qualifying out of the same race was the second-place finisher Flash Bak with the fourth-fastest time of 21.669. The Missouri-bred sorrel gelding is owned by Dutch Masters LLC and is by Moonin the Eagle out of Checknbac by Check Him Out. He is trained by John Stinebaugh and was ridden by Benito Baca. 

“He lost his footing early and then gathered and came running at Blane’s filly,” said trainer Stinebaugh. “We couldn’t catch her, but I can’t wait to try again!”

Jettz, another heavily favored runner going into today’s trials, was also impressive on the track today and ran the second-fastest qualifying time in the 15th trial heat with a time of :21.622. Owned by Bobby Cox, the brown gelding by One Fabulous Eagle out of First To Celebrate by First Down Dash was bred in Oklahoma. Trained by John Buchanan, jockey Francisco Calderon had the mount today.

“Today was the first time that I’ve seen his full stride and what he can do when he can stretch out and cover some ground,” said trainer Buchanan. “He’s doing great and is super healthy. We’ve got a fresh horse to go after the filly in the finals.”

The other two Wood-trained horses that secured spots in the final included Famous And Easy with the third-fastest time of 21.656 and Caliente Caramelo who got the fifth and final spot with a time of 21.706.

A New Mexico-bred gelding, Famous And Easy is owned by Mark and Fay Annette McCloy and is by One Famous Eagle out of Easeful Dinastia by Corona Cartel. Jose Alvarez was the winning jockey.

Caliente Caramelo, a Texas-bred filly, is owned by Fulton Quien Sabe Ranches LP/Tim Fulton et al. After being disqualified the last time she ran, she came back today with a strong performance with jockey Ricky Ramirez aboard. 

The five horses who ran the next five fastest times today qualified to run in the All American Juvenile which will also be run at 440-yards on Labor Day. Those horses include A Dangerous Flash (:21.715); Famous Shining Star (:21.736); Seven (:21.757); Separate Sentence (:21.760); and Shott Gun (:21.770).

The second day of All American Futurity trials continues tomorrow with another 16 trial heats. Sunday’s race card features 4 trials heats for the $421,165 All American Oaks and 9 trial heats for the  $1,077,668 All American Derby. 

Post time is 11:00 AM MDT on Saturday and at 12:00 Noon on Sunday. 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.