Boot Scoots rallies late to capture Red or Green Stakes
SUNLAND PARK – Boot Scoots motored down the center of the racetrack under jockey Oscar Andrade Jr. on Saturday, tagging heavily favored Bigg Picture at the finish line to win the 28th running of the $80,000 Red or Green Stakes at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino.
The Grade 2 affair was restricted to New Mexico-bred older quarter horses.
Trained by Tony Sedillo for owners CHR Racing, Boot Scoots was midpack halfway through the 400-yard event while racing on the far outside. The son of Jess a Chicks found his best stride as the wire approached, winning by a neck with a time of 19.41 seconds and earning an Equibase Speed Index of 92.
Boot Scoots picked up his first career stakes victory with the win. He was a close second in his most recent start Nov. 23 at Zia Park, finishing behind Woody Rocks in the New Mexico Classic Derby. He was off the board in three stakes races as a 2-year-old in 2024.
Saturday’s win gives Boot Scoots five victories from 16 career starts, increasing his lifetime earnings to more than $140,000.
Bred in New Mexico by Jaime Cervantes, Boot Scoots hails from stakes-quality bloodlines. Grandsire Heza Motor Scooter was a multiple stakes winner with earnings of more than $259,000 on the track. As a sire, Heza Motor Scooter’s top runners included three-time AQHA Racing Champion Rylees Boy.
Sent off at odds of 6.30-1, Boot Scoots returned $14.60 to his winning backers. The $2 exacta with post-time favorite Bigg Picture, ridden by Jesus Ayala, paid $43.80. Jesses Wish finished third, while Pick Your Pour rounded out the top four finishers.