Senor Buscador back at home for Pegasus World Cup prep

World traveler Senor Buscador has returned home to New Mexico, where he will prep for the Pegasus World Cup, according to trainer Todd Fincher.

Senor Buscador was second in the Gulfstream Park race last season and from there went on to win the Saudi Cup and run third in the Dubai World Cup. He had spent much of the year based in Southern California.

The Pegasus will be run Jan. 25 at Gulfstream.

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“I think we’ll train him here and then try to move him over there a little earlier, get a little blow over the track there,” Fincher said. “But, yeah, we’re planning to get him ready here.”

New Mexico is home for Fincher and it’s where Senor Buscador worked ahead of his career launch at Remington Park. He’s gone on to earn more than $12 million.

Senor Buscador last raced Dec. 7 and finished an uncharacteristic ninth in the Cigar Mile at Aqueduct. He had worked at Zia Park ahead of the race and returned to Zia after the start in New York. He will soon be settled in at Sunland Park.

Senor Buscador races for Joe R. Peacock Jr.

Smash It moving to two turns

Smash It, winner of the Zia Park Juvenile, will likely move to two turns for his next start, said Fincher. He said the half-brother to Grade 2 winner Slammed is a candidate for the $100,000 Riley Allison Derby at a mile Jan. 17 at Sunland Park.

The race is a stepping-stone to the Grade 3, $400,000 Sunland Derby, which is scheduled to be run at 1 1/16 miles Feb. 16.

Smash It is a Louisiana-bred by Star Guitar.

Fincher, whose main base of operations is New Mexico, has 10 horses at Oaklawn with plans to send more to Hot Springs, Ark.

◗ Innovator emerged from his runner-up finish in the $150,000 Advent in good order, said trainer D. Wayne Lukas. He said the 2-year-old could move to two turns for his next start. Innovator is a son of Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Authentic. Earlier this winter, Innovator was second to Barnes in a highly rated maiden special weight sprint at Churchill.

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