Diabolical Dame tops superfecta of Todd Fincher trainees in Carlos Salazar Stakes

Horses trained by Todd Fincher accounted for the superfecta in the $70,000 Carlos Salazar on Saturday night at The Downs at Albuquerque, where Diabolical Dame won over stablemates Tijuana, Tilla Cat and Bryn’s Fancy Pants. The ten-cent superfecta returned $13.98.

The Salazar was a 6 1/2-furlong sprint for fillies and mares bred in New Mexico. The race is named in honor of a popular Albuquerque-based sportswriter who died in 1998.

Diabolical Dame’s win was the second time this summer she has led a Fincher sweep of the superfecta in a New Mexico stakes. She did so in the $50,000 Lincoln Handicap at Ruidoso Downs on July 30.

Diabolical Dame ($3.20) stalked the pace set by Tilla Cat, who led the field through an opening quarter in 22.40 seconds and a half-mile in 44.82. Diabolical Dame took the lead in the stretch and won by a neck over Tijuana, while covering the distance on a fast track in 1:14.68.

Roimes Chirinos was aboard Diabolical Dame for the ownership of Joe Dee Brooks, Scott Bryant and Derrol Hubbard.

The Salazar was the ninth stakes win for Diabolical Dame and her 14th overall victory. She picked up a first-place check of $42,000 to push her earnings to $590,980. Diabolical Dame is a daughter of Diabolical and she was bred by Fincher in partnership with Fred Alexander and Brad King.