Page 157 - October 2023

WHISKEY CREEK
by Tracy Gantz
The celebrating began at Ruidoso Downs as soon as Whiskey Creek crossed the finish line first in the Sept. 3 All American Derby-G1. But rest assured, it continued for quite some time at Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que in Llano, Texas.
That’s the flagship restaurant in the Wootan family’s business, and Terry Wootan has been known to hang a win photo or two there. He’s had plenty to choose from. This was his second All American Derby victory, following Llano Teller’s in 2011.
Llano Teller, now enjoying his well-earned retirement with Wootan at age 15, won his Derby as the 9-1 fourth choice, but Whiskey Creek was a much longer shot at 26-1. Until the Derby, Whiskey Creek had won three of his 10 races and had never competed in a final. But Wootan and co-owner Roger Beasley, along with trainer Toby Keeton, had confidence in the gelding.
Whiskey Creek under jockey Ramon Sanchez winning the All American Derby-G1 at Ruidoso Downs on September 3, 2023.
RACING NEWS
SPEEDHORSE October 2023 155
All American Derby-G1
Ruidoso Downs
$1,199,686 • 440 yards :21.459 • SI 89
WHISKEY CREEK, ‘20-g.
Bred by: Jim Streelman & Bill Dale
Raced to 3 $525,186 11-4(1)-2-2
APOLLITICAL JESS
SI 107
Bred by: Juan Alberto Tirado Lizarraga
Raced to 3 • $1,399,831 14-8(2)-4(2)-0
1277 f., 128 SW • $63,854,316
MR JESS PERRY SI 113 Bred by: Jesse Perry Raced to 4 • $687,184 21-12(5)-2(1)-0
2009 f., 164 SW • $61,568,524
APOLLITICAL TIME SI 104 Bred by: Vessels Stallion Farm LLC
Raced to 6 • $904,242 35-14(10)-7(2)-5(4)
13 f., 1 SW • $1,538,910
CHECKNBAC
SI 98
Bred by: J. Franciso Diaz Raced to 3 • $216,410 13-7(2)-1-1(1)
13 f., 3 SW • $2,375,775
CHECK HIM OUT SI 98 Bred by: Zory Kuzyk Raced to 3 • $418,528 18-9(3)-1-3(1)
603 f., 18 SW • $8,530,311
RUNNING BAC SI 101
Bred by: Kevin V. Glasmann Raced to 5 • $111,037 21-10(4)-0-2(1)
29 f.,2 SW • $880,720
Susan Bachelor, Speedhorse