Fincher-trained runners sweep two stakes on New Mexico Cup card

Hustle Up and Hennessy Express gave Dale F. Taylor Racing, trainer Todd Fincher and jockey Roimes Chirinos a sweep of the two main Thoroughbred stakes on the $1.9 million New Mexico Cup card at Zia Park on Sunday, when they captured the respective $185,000 Rocky Gulch and $175,000 Peppers Pride.

The races were among 12 stakes for New Mexico-breds on the richest program of the meet. There were eight for Thoroughbreds worth a total of $1,085,000, and four for Quarter Horses worth a collective $842,545.

Hustle Up ($4.60) was meeting older rivals for the first time in the Rocky Gulch, a mile race for 3-year-olds and up. He broke well, set the pace, and had more in the stretch when Blazing Navarone made a run at him, winning by three-quarters of a length over that one. It was another 1 3/4 lengths back to third-place finisher Thunder Dome, who won the Rocky Gulch in 2018.

Hustle Up covered the distance on a fast track in a hand-timed 1:41. There were no fractional times available.

Hustle Up earned $111,000 for the win, which pushed his career bankroll over $500,000. He is now 10 for 14, with seven of his victories coming in stakes. All told, he has earned $536,143.

Dale F. Taylor Racing races Hustle Up in partnership with Bobby McQueen and Suzanne Kirby. Hustle Up is a son of Abstraction that Fincher co-bred with Brad King.

Dale F. Taylor Racing is the sole owner of Hennessy Express ($7.20), who withstood an objection for a two-length win over 35-1 shot Pink Cadillac in the Peppers Pride. It was another 3 1/2 lengths back to To Satisfy You in third.

Hennessy Express sat off the contested pace set by Movin On and rallied in the stretch. She covered the mile for fillies and mares in a hand-timed 1:42.39. There were no fractional times available.

Hennessy Express is a daughter of Roll Hennessy Roll and she was bred by Dale Taylor. She now has won seven of 23 starts and earned $388. 617.

Chirinos and Fincher each had an additional winner on the card. Chirinos struck in the first Thoroughbred stakes, the $145,000 Distaff Sprint, with Waltzing Attila ($3.60). She was one of four stakes winners on the card for the stallion Attila’s Storm. Waltzing Attila was always prominent for a half-length win over Let It Roll, covering six furlongs in 1:12.31. Nancy Summers trains Waltzing Attila for breeder Wesley Gray and Glenda Gray.

Fincher’s winner came in the $145,000 Oaks, where trainee Flight Song dead-heated for the win with Sofia’s Gift. There was an additional dead heat in the race, with Beautiful Bounty and Attilas Gal finishing a joint sixth. Flight Song, under Alfredo Juarez Jr., paid $3.80 and Sofia’s Gift, ridden by Luis Fuentes, returned $9.60.

The winners finished 3 3/4 lengths clear of third-place finisher Shug’s Best while covering six furlongs in 1:12.07. Both winning fillies are by Attila’s Storm, with Flight Song racing for R.D. Hubbard and Shaun Hubbard and Sofia’s Gift owned by her trainer, Robyne Draper. In a final twist, Fincher co-bred Sofia’s Gift.

Slewacide Squad ($59) was up for a neck win over My Boanerges in the $145,000 Derby, covering six furlongs in 1:11.54. Alejandro Medellin was aboard for trainer Lee Gutierrez. Slewacide Squad is a son of Slew’s Pot of Gold who races for Armando Medina.

Attilianno ($18.40) was a head winner over On a Warpath in the $145,000 Juvenile Championship, covering six furlongs in 1:12.55. Francisco Amparan was aboard the winner for trainer James Padgett, III. Attilianno is a son of Attila’s Storm who races for his breeders, Pierre Amestoy and Leslie Amestoy.

Count Them Again ($3.20) jetted to a two and a half-length win over Reception in the $145,000 Lassie, covering six furlongs in 1:12.86. Francisco Arrieta was aboard for trainer Jaime Fuentes. Count Them Again is a daughter or Premeditation who races for Lola Cuellar.

Arrieta struck again in the $175,000 Sprint with Perty Dirty Dude ($15.60), who closed for a half-length win over Rig Time. The winner covered six furlongs in 1:11.88. Dick Cappellucci trains Perty Dirty Dude, a son of Elusive Jazz, for Jeff Stinson and Miguel Mungia. Gunners One and Mr. Mooch finished in a dead-heat for third in the Sprint.