Senor Buscador dominates Curribot Handicap
Senor Buscador was a dominant winner in his first start since the Breeders’ Cup on Sunday when he shuttled home four lengths in front in the $75,000 Curribot Handicap at Sunland Park.
Limonite finished second, five lengths clear of third-place finisher Goddard.
The Curribot, which was for 4-year-olds and up over 1 1/16 miles, shared a card with the $100,000 Peppers Pride Handicap won by Corrina Corrina.
Senor Buscador last raced Nov. 5 in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, finishing eighth after earning a berth into the race for his victory in the Grade 3 Ack Ack at Churchill Downs.
Senor Buscador ($2.20) on Saturday was content to settle off the pace as Limonite took the field through an opening quarter in 22.72 seconds, a posted time of 49.67 for the half-mile and a posted time of six furlongs in 1:12.92. Senor Buscador took after the leader into the stretch, moved past him with authority, and went on to win in hand. Senor Buscador covered the distance on a fast track in 1:42.75.
Alfredo Juarez Jr. was aboard for trainer Todd Fincher, who also saddled third-place finisher Goddard and fourth-place finisher Sheriff Brown.
Fincher said last week that following the Curribot, Senor Buscador could see stakes action at Oaklawn Park.
Senor Buscador was the 126-pound highweight for the Curribot. He is a 5-year-old son of Mineshaft and the multiple stakes-winning mare Rose’s Desert. Senor Buscador races for Joe Peacock.
Senor Buscador, who was removing blinkers Saturday, is a winner of 5 of 9 races for earnings of $431,677.
Corrina Corrina ($2.60) forged past stubborn pacesetter Bye Bye Brandi for a half-length win over that one in the Peppers Pride, which was for fillies and mares bred in New Mexico. The winner covered the mile distance on a fast track in 1:37.43. Ken Tohill was aboard for trainer Gary Cross. Corrina Corrina is a multiple stakes-winning daughter or Mr. Trieste who races for Derrick Jenkins.
Slammed has first work since Breeders’ Cup
Grade 2 winner Slammed had her first work since the Breeders’ Cup on Sunday, breezing three-eighths in 37.16 seconds on a fast track at her base of Sunland Park. The New Mexico-bred daughter of Marking is coming off a 12th-place finish in the Filly and Mare Sprint. Following the race, a foot abscess was found and she was given time off, said Fincher. Slammed had won the Grade 2 Thoroughbred Club of America at Keeneland one start prior to the Breeders’ Cup.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.