Senor Buscador training up to Breeders' Cup Classic

Senor Buscador, winner of the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar in July, will have his next start in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 4 at Santa Anita, joining a growing list of leading runners for that race who are bypassing the Grade 1 Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita on Sept. 30.

Trained by Todd Fincher for Joe Peacock, Senor Buscador finished fourth by 2 1/2 lengths in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at 1 1/4 miles on Sept. 2 at Del Mar. The BC Classic is run at 1 1/4 miles.

“We’ll wait and give it our best shot,” Fincher said.

Arabian Knight and Geaux Rocket Ride, the first two finishers in the Pacific Classic, also are scheduled to have their next starts in the BC Classic.

Senor Buscador closed from last in a field of 10 in the Pacific Classic to be closest to the front at the finish, displaying his typical closing style. Arabian Knight led throughout.

“No one pressed Arabian Knight,” Fincher said.

In the San Diego Handicap at 1 1/16 miles, Senor Buscador closed from last to reach the front in the final sixteenth.

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Fincher said he plans to run Bye Bye Bobby in the $300,000 Awesome Again Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on Sept. 30 at Santa Anita. Bye Bye Bobby closed from last of 10 to finish second by three-quarters of a length behind Anarchist in the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien Stakes at seven furlongs on Aug. 26 at Del Mar.

The winner of the Awesome Again Stakes receives a fees-paid berth to the BC Classic, but Fincher said the Grade 2 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes at 1 5/8 miles on Nov. 4 may be a better option.

“That’s where he fits the best,” Fincher said. “Bobby, the more you run him, the better he is. We’ll see what he does at 1 1/8 miles.”

On Thursday at Santa Anita, Bye Bye Bobby and Senor Buscador worked five furlongs in 1:00.20 in tandem.

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