Fincher empties barn for Salazar Stakes

Trainer Todd Fincher will send out half the field in Saturday night’s $70,000 Carlos Salazar Stakes at The Downs at Albuquerque, including probable favorite Diabolical Dame.

The Salazar is 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 and is a member of the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame.

Fincher’s quartet in the eight-horse Salazar is completed by Tilla Cat, Bryn’s Fancy Pants, and Tijuana. Those horses ran second through fourth to Diabolical Dame in the $50,000 Lincoln Handicap at Ruidoso Downs in their last starts July 30.

Diabolical Dame stalked and stormed home by 3 3/4 lengths in the Lincoln to lock up her eighth stakes win and her 13th victory overall. She has earned $548,980 while ranking as one of New Mexico’s top sprinters since 2015.

For the Salazar Stakes, Diabolical Dame boasts the field’s best last-race Beyer Speed Figure, a 76, and a 3-for-5 record over the track. Roimes Chirinos has the mount from post 4 for owners Joe Dee Brooks, Scott Bryant, and Derrol Hubbard.

Tilla Cat has a chance to wire the field if she gets the jump on Woodacouldadid, who is back in New Mexico after a trip to Del Mar, where she ran fifth in the $93,000 Daisycutter at five furlongs on turf Aug. 4. Tracy Hebert has the mount on Tilla Cat from post 2.

Bryn’s Fancy Pants drew the rail and will be looking for her fifth stakes win when she starts under Alfredo Juarez Jr.

The card also includes an optional $20,000 claiming race at a mile that drew the stakes winners Jessica’s Star, Ol Winedrinker Who, Overland Park, and J Serino.