Via JN Campbell
SUNLAND PARK, New Mexico–Todd Fincher walked an easy path along the apron through the Sunday crowd at Sunland Park, nodding and occasionally smiling as he went. It's closing day and a Thoroughbred owned by Kirk and Judy Robison from his barn has just won the Island Fashion S.
Dressed in standard attire, including a baseball cap, wrinkled jeans and sunglasses, Fincher wore his modular phone on his belt, ready to pull it out of its holster.
“Busy,” the New Mexico coach replied when asked how things were going. “It was such a crazy, non-stop time, but coming back to Sunland Park, this was my bread and butter.”
Fincher just returned a week ago from his second outing in the Middle East. Senator Buscador (Mine shaft) was successful in two races to that part of the world. Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that Joey Peacock's resilient six-year-old won the G1 Saudi Cup and then finished third at the G1 Dubai World Cup.
“The experience was fantastic and although the result in Dubai was not what we wanted, everyone was extremely welcoming,” he said. “Even in a big race like that one, I don't get frustrated because at least 75% of the time you're going to lose the race, so falling down like I did doesn't serve any purpose chief.”
Don't misunderstand Fincher's words because he wants Buscador to win the World Cup. He wants to win it all and it sucks. Pretending to be disappointed is how his mediocre outlook shines through. You must have this attitude, which comes from a special place within and comes from countless life experiences.
Like a character from Ace Reid Cowpoke cartoon, the horseman has a thin body that reminds him that he used to ride horses for a living. The mental toughness he developed in the saddle while riding young horses and as a jockey in New Mexico some 30 years ago served him well, especially in business fields such as air conditioning.
Todd Fincher (left) with Only One America in the Island Fashion S. | Coady Photography
“I won three riding races and thought I was on top,” he said. “And then that would dry up and I would be really disappointed in myself, so you can't do that. It's a humbling sport with so many factors beyond your control. We hope you will always be grateful for victories like Buscador has done and he is not done yet.”
Fincher confirmed that Senor Buscador has safely arrived at Peacefield Ranch in Temecula, California and will be given a few weeks off before the new training cycle can begin.
“Like always, we'll let him tell us,” he said. “I think the GII Pat O'Brien S. can do it, we'll see, and then the GI Breeders' Cup Classic in the long run.” Two years ago at Del Mar, Buscador finished third in the O'Brien laurel river (Into Mischief), who ran away with this year's Dubai World Cup.
While the Saudi Cup champion is resting, his coach will do nothing of the sort. When Sunland was completed, Fincher's stable moved to SunRay Park in Farmington, New Mexico, but he packed a trailer for Hot Springs, Arkansas for the start this week.
“We have a couple that I'm taking to Oaklawn and I'm going to be there all week,” he said. “I don't like taking them this far, but it would be good to race against this kind of competition.”
Fincher is walking in Perfect guy (Majestic Perfection)–who moved from Vann Belvoir to him in February–in GIII Count Fleet S. Saturday. It's a race that will feature the Skelly (Practical joke), who is making his first U.S. start since the gelding finished second in the G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint in Saudi Arabia.
Made the 900-mile trip to Oaklawn for the GI Apple Blossom S. is Flight connection (Nyquistist). Last year, the beauty won the Island Fashion S. and then won the Sunland Park Oaks, earning her a spot in the starting gate for the GI Kentucky Oaks. She lost her sixth match that Friday.
“Perfect Dude was a fairly new acquisition, but I could tell he had a lot of talent and he was quick out of the gate,” Fincher said. “I think Flying Connection has developed a real tactical advantage and she has really come a long way since last year as she has been moving straight ahead.”
Flying Connection is co-owned by Brad King, Randy Andrews, Chris Coleman, Jim Cone, Suzanne Kirby and Lee Lewis, the same group that has invested in another Fincher-trained runner, Olivia twisted (Mshawish). Incidentally, King, Andrews, Cone and Lewis are all members of MSW Candy aisle (Gun Runner), who was ninth in Oaklawn's GII Fantasy S. on March 30, and who Fincher will likely send to the Steam Valley S. on April 20.
Half-sister to MGSW/MGISP Skippylongstocking (Bloody) Olivia Twist made the trip to Hot Springs to join Candy Aisle and perform a six-panel production over the weekend. According to her trainer, the 4-year-old could be ready for the Dig A Diamond S. on April 27, but for now Fincher is taking a wait-and-see approach when it comes to her next start.
Olivia Twist works with Cristian Torres on board at Oaklawn | Courtesy of Robert Yates
“She raced a lot starting when she was 2 years old,” he said. “I really thought she needed a good rest and got it in the second half of last year. I really like the way she carries her weight and she has developed over the winter, she continues to be aggressive in the mornings, so we will see if that continues into the afternoon or not.”
Olivia Twist has started eight times since she broke her maiden at Remington Park in her late teens until last summer at Del Mar. The biggest puzzle for Fincher was figuring out the distance she wanted.
“It will come,” he said.
In the interim, Todd Fincher has a lot of puzzles to solve now that Saudi Arabia and Dubai are in the rearview mirror. The road to Oaklawn is calling, and that means this is an opportunity to grow some more bread and butter.
