Boot Scoots Digs In Late To Capture Red Or Green Stakes (RG2) at Sunland Park.

© Coady Media

By Emily Paulk, Stallionesearch

SUNLAND PARK, NM—JANUARY 10, 2026— Boot Scoots dug in through the final strides Saturday afternoon at Sunland Park, passing rivals late to capture the $80,000 Red or Green Stakes (RG2) for New Mexico-bred 4-year-olds and upward.

Ridden by Oscar Andrade, Jr., Boot Scoots brushed at the break before settling into position, then produced a late surge to prevail by a neck. The sorrel gelding completed the 400 yards in 19.415 seconds, earning a 92 speed index over a fast track.

Trained by Tony Sedillo for owner CHR Racing, Boot Scoots is by multiple graded stakes sire Jess A Chicks and out of Sheza Jessa Scooter, a winning mare by Heza Motor Scooter. Bred in New Mexico by Jaime Cervantes, the gelding earned the $48,000 winner’s share, pushing his lifetime earnings to $140,739. He now owns a career record of 16 starts with five wins, two seconds, and one third.

The winning connections of Boot Scoots accept the $80,000 Red or Green Stakes (RG2) trophy at Sunland Park on Saturday. © Coady Media

Boot Scoots wrapped up his 2025 season with a runner-up finish in the New Mexico Classic Derby (RG2). As a juvenile in 2024, he was a finalist in the New Mexico Classic Juvenile, New Mexico State Fair Juvenile, and Zia Juvenile.

Stakes winner Bigg Picture finished second after chasing throughout. Jesus Ayala rode the gray gelding for owner Uno Menos and trainer Wesley Giles. Bigg Picture is by leading sire Big Daddy Cartel and out of Astica, a Champion mare by Jesse James Jr He has now hit the board in 17 of his 21 career starts with earnings of $456,609 and entered the race off back-to-back stakes victories in the Zia Park Quarter Horse Championship (G1) and the Namehimastreaker New Mexico Classic Championship (G1).

Jesses Wish battled gamely to finish third under James Flores. The gelding is trained by Jose DeHerrera for owners Javier M. Chavez and Heysol Howlet. By stakes sire Jesse James Jr and out of Wish You Had One To, by Stel Corona, Jesses Wish has hit the board in 14 of his 26 starts with earnings of $353,921. His record includes victories in the 2024 Pepsi Cola Handicap (G2) and the 2022 New Mexican Spring Futurity (G2). He was a $50,000 graduate of the Ruidoso New Mexico Bred Yearling Sale.

Pick Your Pour, Streakin Eye Effort, The Calling, Beyond Rime, Pavel, Lookin For Cartel, and Lil Newt completed the field.

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