Sunday, September 04, 2011
Ramon Sanchez rode sixth-fastest qualifier Llano Teller to a half-length victory in Sunday's $1,317,015 All American Derby (G1), witnessed by a crowd of 14,643 at Ruidoso Downs.
Saddled by Heath Reed for owner Wootan Racing and Reed Land & Cattle, Llano Teller went 440 yards on a track labeled “good” in :20.867, breaking by 8/100ths of a second the previous stakes record set by Snow Big Deal in 2003. The gelding's victory also earned him a berth in the December 10, $750,000 Champion of Champions (G1) at Los Alamitos Racecourse.
“He left real good today,” said Sanchez, who was riding Llano Teller for the first time in a race. “I was thinking if I had a chance to break, I've got a chance to be in front at the wire. He broke excellent and tried hard all the time.”
“I've flown Ramon in a few times to ride horses, and he's unreal on a horse he's never seen,” Reed said. “I told him I thought he was on the real deal today.”
Llano Teller was bred in Texas by Wootan Racing. The gelding's sire, Teller Cartel, won the 2005 All American Futurity (G1) and was that season's AQHA champion 2-year-old colt. An 8-year-old son of Corona Cartel, Teller Cartel has sired several graded stakes winners, including Triffle, the winner of the '09 Mile High Futurity (G3) at Arapahoe Park in Colorado, and Teller Shes An Angel, the winner of the 2009 Easy Jet Stakes (RG3) for Oklahoma-bred 2-year-olds at Remington Park.
Teller Cartel is owned by a partnership and stands for a $5,500 fee at Lazy E Ranch at Guthrie, Oklahoma.
Llano Teller is also one of nine winners from 11 starters produced by Annie Eye Over, a winning 14-year-old daughter of Mr Eye Opener. The gelding's half sister, Eyesa Lil Cuervo, won the '08 La Villita Stakes at Retama Park.
Campaigned in three states – New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma – Llano Teller has earned $1,528,632, of which $1,043,244 has been banked this season. His nine wins in 16 outs include the 400-yard, $702,896 Ruidoso Derby (G1) on June 11.
Last year, Llano Teller won the $596,041 Remington Park Futurity (G1) on a sloppy track. Reed indicated the gelding might make his next start in the Texas Classic Futurity (G1) trials at Lone Star Park in November.
“Whatever Mr. (Terry) Wootan says, that's what we'll do,” added the trainer. “He raised him. It's his baby, so I'm just along for the ride.”
Prospect To The top ran second and was followed by JLS Mr Bigtime, One Sweet Jess, Teller No Lies, The Printing Press, fastest-qualifer and 6-5 favorite Cold Cash 123, Motorcity Madman, DM Streakin Thru Fire, and Flyin Fish.