Fincher has high hopes for his 3-year-old fillies
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Trainer Todd Fincher could have a big week with the 3-year-old fillies he has stabled at Oaklawn Park.
The barn’s action begins Friday with Yolanda Who, a leading contender in a $30,000 starter allowance for 3-year-old fillies slotted as the featured eighth race. And on Saturday, Fincher will send out the undefeated stakes winner Olivia Twist in the $200,000 Martha Washington.
The horses are part of a five-horse stable Fincher has brought to Oaklawn. He’s a longtime leading trainer in New Mexico, and his current base of operations is Sunland Park.
Yolanda Who became Fincher’s first-ever starter at Oaklawn on Dec. 31, when she finished fourth in an entry-level allowance sprint. Yolanda Who will remain at one turn for Friday’s race, which is over six furlongs.
“She ran a pretty good race last time,” Fincher said. “She got in some trouble, probably should have definitely run second. This looks like an easier spot. Maybe.”
There are six entrants coming off maiden wins, with Ms Hayley and Lucksme expected to get good support on the strength of their dominant victories in $20,000 maiden-claiming sprints at Churchill Downs.
Summorya won her debut last out in a maiden special weight for Arkansas-breds at Oaklawn. She earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 60, which is the best last-race number in Friday’s race. Summorya, as well as Mozingo and She’s Storming, are eligible for Friday’s race as Arkansas-bred fillies who have never won two races. Mozingo, a maiden special weight winner at Horseshoe Indianapolis, is a full sister to multiple stakes winner Direct Dial.
As for Yolanda Who, she won her debut in a maiden special weight in August at the Downs at Albuquerque. She returned to run second against males in the track’s Manzano Stakes. Later in the year, Yolanda Who won a $25,000 claiming race at Remington Park. She will break from post 3 under Ricardo Santana Jr.
“I wish we drew farther outside, but what can you do,” Fincher said. “Hopefully, she can get us a first win over there.”
Fincher came close to that objective with his third and most recent Oaklawn starter on Jan. 21. Bye Bye Ray, a $375,000 purchase at auction, finished second in a maiden special weight for 3-year-olds won by Ben’s Legacy, who is a full brother to champion Rushing Fall.
Fincher’s important weekend with 3-year-old fillies will extend to Sunday at Sunland Park, where he starts stakes winner Flying Connection and maiden winner Christian d’Oro in the $65,000 Borderplex, which is a prep for the Sunland Park Oaks.
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