Racing


World Champion Whistle Stop Cafe Passes $2 Million Earnings Mark With Rainbow Oaks Victory
Whistle Stop Cafe scores her eighth consecutive win in the $374,363 Rainbow Oaks at Ruidoso Down Race Track on Saturday. Cluster Of Stars finished second.

© Jake Rogers / Ruidoso Downs
World Champion Whistle Stop Cafe Passes $2 Million Earnings Mark With Rainbow Oaks Victory

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—JULY 24, 2021—AQHA Racing World Champion Whistle Stop Cafe surpassed $2 million dollars in earnings today when she defeated Valiant Starts by half-a-length in the $374,363 Rainbow Oaks at Ruidoso Downs.

The daughter of leading sire Freighttrain B used the Oak's winner's purse, valued at $157,233, to become the All-Time Leading Quarter Horse Distaff earner, as well as surpass two-time World Champion Refrigerator ($2,115,525) to become the 5th All-Time Leading Money Earning Quarter Horse with at $2,137,019.

Under jockey Tanner Tedford, the gray filly completed the 440 yards in :21.379 seconds, equaling a 95 speed index into a 6 mph headwind. It was the eighth win in eight career starts for the Bobby D. Cox Oklahoma-bred out of Sinuous by Mr Jess Perry.

"I thought she needed her trial race and today came back better than ever," jockey Thedford said. "She was determined to win and gave us everything she had. That’s about all you can ever ask for."

Trainer Trey Wood saddled the winner for owner Whitmire Ranch, who purchased Whistle Stop Cafe for $42,000 at the 2019 Heritage Place Yearling Sale in Oklahoma City.

"She runs the same race she runs every time," said Wood following the race. "I just don't have any words that would say how special of an individual she is. She is just one of a kind."

She became the first filly since Laico Bird in 1967 to be named AQHA Racing's World Champion last year. Also the Champion 2-Year-Old and Champion 2-Year-Old Filly, Whistle Stop Cafe has won the All American Futurity(G1), Rainbow Futurity(G1), Rainbow Oaks and Heritage Place Juvenile Invitational.

Stewards called for a van ride for Whistle Stop Café following her winner’s circle appearance after the race, which Wood deemed unnecessary.

"They thought she was tired, but she seemed fine to me," Wood said. "She’s back in the barn feeling good and we’re contemplating her next move."

Will that move be an attempt in the All American Derby trials, or will the filly take her chances in the trials of the All Ameircan Oaks?

"We will always do what’s best for her," Wood said. "She loves to run, and we’ll need to make that decision closer to time for both trials."

Whistle Stop Cafe paid $3.80, $280 and $2.60 in winning the ninth race in a time of 21.37 seconds for 440-yards.

Runner-up Valiant Stars is having a breakout 3-year-old season for owners J & SM, Inc. and Stone Chase Stables LLC with runner-up finishes in the Grade 1 Ruidoso Derby and the now the Rainbow Oaks.

After failing to bring her reserve in the 2019 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale the daughter of Valiant Hero sold for $21,000 in the Heritage Place Fall Mixed Sale.

The winning connections of Whistle Stop Cafe accept the Rainbow Oaks stakes trophy on Saturday at Ruidoso Downs Race Track. © Jake Rogers / Ruidoso Downs
Under the direction of trainer Fred Danley, Valiant Stars has run first or second in seven of nine career starts.

Since breaking her maiden at Ruidoso last August, she also won her trial for the All American Futurity(G1), Ruidoso QH Derby(G1) and Rainbow QH Oaks. Out of the Thoroughbred mare Cluster Of Stars, by Greeley's Galaxy, the bay filly seems to prefer the distances at 400 and 440 yards.

Bred by McColee Land & Livestock LLC, Valiant Stars earned $67,385 in the Oaks to push earnings to nearly $210,000.

Miss Famous Eagle surprised at 30-1 with a third-place effort for owner LMG Racing Inc. The daughter of leading sire One Famous Eagle picked up $37,436 to boost her earnings to $58,929. Michael Joiner trains the Sam W. Green Oklahoma-bred out of Ms Southern Dynasty by FDD Dynasty. Benito Baca had the riding call. Miss Famous Eagle was seventh in the Ruidoso QH Invitational last month.

Paint Me Tres, Elphaba, Packsaddle Senator, Caliente Caramelo, Hr Princess Jess, Ynot The Favorite and Best Moonflash completed the Rainbow Oaks field.

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Rainbow weekend continues at Ruidoso Downs Sunday afternoon with the running of the $1 million Rainbow Futurity for two-year-olds along with the $100,000 Rainbow Juvenile and the $40,000 Mr Jett Moore Handicap. First post on Sunday is 1 p.m., and more information is available at raceruidoso.com.