Fincher shipping in Perfect Dude for Count Fleet

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Trainer Todd Fincher was on the road again Monday, hauling Perfect Dude from New Mexico to Oaklawn Park for Saturday’s Grade 3, $500,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap.

The trip comes on top of back-to-back flights to the Middle East, where Fincher saddled Senor Buscador to win the $20 million Saudi Cup in February and run third in the $12 million Dubai World Cup in March.

And next month, Fincher will be bringing a division of horses to Southern California, basing at San Luis Rey Downs Training Center.

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Perfect Dude was supplemented to the Count Fleet after a stakes for the multiple stakes winner did not go at SunRay Park in Farmington, N.M. He is joining Fincher trainee Flying Connection, who is already settled in at Oaklawn for the Grade 1, $1.25 million Apple Blossom here Saturday.

Fincher said multiple stakes winner Candy Aisle is on deck for the April 20 $200,000 Valley of the Vapors for 3-year-old fillies going a mile at Oaklawn. And the following week, stakes winner Olivia Twist will target the $200,000 Dig a Diamond for fillies and mares at a mile here April 27.

Fincher, who will keep summer divisions in New Mexico, could have 12 to 15 horses at San Luis Rey Downs. Senor Buscador will be part of the California string after his freshening at a farm in California.

“He’s got plenty of different spots out there,” said Fincher.

“I train mostly New Mexico-breds, but the string of open horses this year is actually a decent number, 12, 15 of them. We’re looking to go out early, sometime in the next month, to get these 2-year-olds ready to go for California.”

Fincher said he has a promising colt by Omaha Beach and a promising filly by Authentic. He also said he likes what he’s seeing from individuals by Maclean’s Music, City of Light, and a Star Guitar that’s a half-brother to Grade 2 winner Slammed.

It’s enough to keep him on the road – all summer.

◗ Oaklawn will race on a Friday-through-Sunday schedule through the remainder of the season, which ends May 5.

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