Fincher gets first shot at All American Futurity with Determined One

Trainer Todd Fincher won the richest Thoroughbred race in New Mexico in 2018 when Runaway Ghost captured the Grade 3, $800,000 Sunland Derby.

On Monday, he goes after bigger game.

Fincher will send out Determined One against nine others, including probable favorite Mister Riptide, in the $3 million All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs. The 440-yard classic not only ranks as the richest race in New Mexico, but also the richest offering for Quarter Horses.

“It’s the most prestigious Quarter Horse race in the world, and has been for a very long time,” Fincher said.

The All American is being showcased on a 12-race program that includes its consolation, the $200,000 All American Juvenile led by Rainbow Futurity winner Uncle D. The packed card of four stakes closes another season at the mountain-top track that has seen its All American Futurity become a true slice of Americana.

“The day is a nod to 70 years of history, when the Quarter Horse racing business was just getting started and what was happening at Ruidoso Downs,” said Jeff True, the track’s president. “One of the things that put Quarter Horse racing on the map is the All American Futurity and the concept of, ‘I’ve got a better horse than you do and I’m willing to put up money now for a race we’re going to run eight, 10 months from now.’ ”

Fincher, 48, is a retired jockey who rode in all of the major Quarter Horse stakes at Ruidoso, except the All American. As a trainer, he’s won the track’s Grade 1 Ruidoso Futurity and Grade 1 Rainbow Derby but never had a starter in the All American. That changes with Determined One, who was a 1 1/4-length trial winner Aug. 17, covering 440 yards on a fast track in 21.85 seconds at Ruidoso.

“He did everything right,” Fincher said. “He had a sharp break, maybe inwards just a touch. I thought he ran a perfect race.

“He’s a talented horse. He’s healthy. And he can run the 440. All those three attributes are important for this race.”

Determined One is making his second start in a Grade 1, following a close fourth in the $1 million Ed Burke Memorial Futurity on June 23 at Los Alamitos. Cody Jensen was aboard and also has the mount Monday from post 3.

“I like the three-hole, because you’re not in the gate first, but you’re in there long enough to get settled and focused,” Fincher said.

Determined One was bred by R.D. Hubbard, who races him with Shaun Hubbard.

R.D. Hubbard also has a stake in Mister Riptide, who is seeking his fourth straight win in a streak that includes the $434,200 Zia Futurity in July at Ruidoso. The horse was the fastest qualifier on the first of two days of trials Aug. 16, winning in 21.68. The score came from the rail under Ricky Ramirez, and the pair will again break from the fence for co-owners Mark and Fay Annette McCloy and trainer J.J. Gonzales II.