Llano Teller scored a 9-1 upset in the $1,316,760 G1 All American Derby on Sunday, September 4 at Ruidoso Downs. He earned a payout of $658,380 for the 440-yard win, as well as an invitation to the $750,000 G1 Champion of Champions in December, at Los Alamitos Race Course in California.

Trained by co-owner Heath Reed, the gelded son of Teller Cartel, broke sharply, dueled with second-place finisher Prospect To The Top (11-1), then cleared the wire by one-half of a length, with a time of :20.867. It was his third G1 victory and second of the summer (he won the $703,000 Ruidoso Derby in June).

JLS Mr Bigtime, second in last year’s All American Futurity finished third.

“I was thinking if I had a chance to break, I’ve got a chance to be in front at the wire,” said Llano Teller’s catch-rider Ramon Sanchez, who also won the All American Gold Cup, two races earlier on the program, as catch-rider aboard Noconi.

Owned by Wootan Racing and Reed Land and Cattle Company, Llano Teller qualified for the All American Derby by winning his trial under G.R. Carter Jr., who finished ninth in the Derby aboard third-favorite DM Streakin Thru Fire.

“Ramon did a magnificent job,” said Reed. “I’ve flown him in a few times to ride horses for me and he’s unreal on a horse that he’s never seen.”

Runner-up Prospect To The Top, trained by Ralph Muniz, qualified for last year’s All American Futurity; won the Hobbs America Futurity; and a third-place finish in the Southwest Juvenile Championship as the odds-on favorite.

Roman Chapa gained the mount on Prospect To The Top, after regular rider, Jacky Martin, was seriously injured in the sixth race on Friday. Martin had also been slated to ride All American Silver Cup winner Noconi, as well as All American Futurity favorite, Ochoa.

“I’ve never ridden him in a race, but I’ve galloped him a few times for Ralph,” said Chapa. “Ralph called me a couple of days ago, after Jacky got hurt and asked me to come in.”

It was Muniz-trained Phire Power, who broke down with Martin on Friday; Martin is currently in an El Paso hospital, paralyzed from the neck down.

Cold Cash 123, the 2-1 favorite, hesitated at the start and was well beaten within the first 50 yards. He finished seventh in his bid for his seventh win at 440 yards, in his seventh start at the distance.

In order of finish: Llano Teller, Prospect To The Top, JLS Mr Bigtime under the wire were One Sweet Jess, Teller No Lies, The Printing Press, Cold Cash 123, Motorcity Madman, DM Streakn Thru Fire and Flyin Fish.