Smash Ticket returns in top form, could be part of Fincher's Del Mar string
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Smash Ticket was a smashing winner of her 3-year-old debut on Monday at Lone Star Park and she could be part of an expanded division of horses trainer Todd Fincher plans to send to Del Mar for the summer meet that opens in July.
“We’re planning on taking a few more this year,” Fincher said. “I only ended up taking four or five last year. We’d like to bring 10, 12.”
Smash Ticket was an 11-length winner of an entry-level allowance Monday while making her 3-year-old debut. She defeated older horses in the 5 1/2-furlong race, and earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 92.
It was Smash Ticket's first start since last year at Del Mar, when she ran third in the Grade 2 Sorrento on Aug. 6.
“It looks like she came back good,” Fincher said. “She showed the talent she has off a long layoff, you never know. We’re pretty proud of her.”
Fincher said plans are to be determined for Smash Ticket, who in time could move to two turns. He said he did not see an immediate stakes option for her at Del Mar, and while she could be part of the stable in Southern California, that was still to be determined as of Friday.
“We’ll get a couple works in her and make a decision where to go,” he said of next-race plans for Smash Ticket.
Smash Ticket is a daughter of Midnight Lute who races for Brad King, Stan Kirby, and Suzanne Kirby.
Slammed, a 4-year-old half-sister to Smash Ticket, is ticketed for Del Mar, said Fincher. Slammed is a five-time stakes winner who last raced in February, when she won the $100,000 La Coneja at Sunland. Slammed covered six furlongs in 1:08.54.
“She’s on the work tab now, so she’s looking for a Del Mar start for her start back,” Fincher said.
Slammed has been working at Ruidoso Downs. Fincher currently has divisions in New Mexico and Texas.
Slammed is a daughter of Marking owned by Fincher Racing, Brad King, and Suzanne Kirby.
Senor Buscador, the winner of the 2020 Springboard Mile at Remington Park, is another Fincher trainee headed to Del Mar. He has been working at Ruidoso Downs.
Others tabbed for Del Mar include Senor Buscador's half-siblings Sheriff Brown, winner of the 2022 Sunland Park Handicap, and Our Iris Rose, who was fourth Monday when attempting to win her second straight Memorial Day Sprint at Lone Star.
Fincher said allowance winner Axel Steel, a 3-year-old by Mohaymen, is likely headed to Del Mar, along with some 2-year-olds. Fincher is a longtime leading trainer in New Mexico.