Numbers stacked in Fincher's favor in Rio Grande Senor Futurity

Trainer Todd Fincher has a larger-than-usual crop of 2-year-olds in training this season, and the group has talent. He has five of the 10 entrants in the $154,318 Rio Grande Senor Thoroughbred Futurity, one of a number of New Mexico-bred stakes Sunday at Ruidoso Downs.

There are six stakes on the program that continues the Zia Festival at Ruidoso, with five for Thoroughbreds and the $392,253 Zia Futurity for Quarter Horses, led by fastest qualifier De Loach.

During the Senor trials, Fincher qualified five head when his trainees won all three trials. He said Thursday that four of the qualifiers will start back Sunday, but Raider Red will be scratched from the Senor.

“It looks like two of the horses want to go to the front, and two come from off the pace,” Fincher said. “They should complement each other.”

Fincher said he prepared 50 young horses for the races this year, compared with last year’s group of about 30 to 35 juveniles. Some of his most promising prospects are in the Senor.

Rio Grande Senor Futurity, Race 9

KEY CONTENDERS

Born a Ruler (Last 3 Beyers 73-58-29)

◗ Fincher trainee put it all together July 12, when he won his maiden in his trial for the Senor while earning a field-best Beyer Speed Figure of 73.

“He sure left there going to the front the other day,” Fincher said. “He just looked like he cruised, looked like he never really was asked for his best. He’s gotten better, kind of figured it out.”

Lux (Last 3 Beyers 65-71-53)

◗ A stakes winner in June, he was second to stablemate Born a Ruler when favored in their trial July 12.

“The other day in the trial, he lost his wits about him,” Fincher said. “The horse beside him acted up. He wasn’t himself. Hopefully, that won’t happen this time. We’ve done some gate schooling [since his last start].”

◗ Lux is a closer in a field that drew a good amount of speed.

“He’s got a big, nice stride on him,” Fincher said. “He’ll be coming from off the pace.”

◗ Sunday’s stakes action starts in the fifth race with the $50,000 Sierra Blanca Handicap, a 5 1/2-furlong race for fillies and mares led by 122-pound highweight Devons Ca Ching. That’s Who is the defending champ in the $50,000 Land of Enchantment Handicap, a 7 1/2-furlong race that goes as the 10th on an 11-race card.