Tanner Fincher set for first stakes mounts in futurities

The riding career of 18-year-old apprentice Tanner Fincher has gotten off to a quick start, and on Sunday at Ruidoso Downs he has his first stakes mounts.

Fincher will be in action in both the $134,667 Rio Grande Senor Thoroughbred Futurity and the $133,828 Rio Grande Senorita Thoroughbred Futurity, teaming with 2-year-olds trained by his father, top New Mexico-based horseman Todd Fincher.

Tanner Fincher’s mount in the Senor is My Storm Warrior, one of six horses his father qualified in the field of 10. In the Senorita, Fincher will ride Caught Stealing, one of three fillies his father qualified for Sunday.

Both races will be run over 5 1/2 furlongs and are for horses bred in New Mexico.

Tanner Fincher had won three races from nine mounts through Thursday. He rode in his first race July 17, and his first win came Aug. 2. He had a double Aug. 8, and on the card won for his father for the first time, aboard 2-year-old filly Jasmine Baby.

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“He’s always said he wanted to ride,” Todd Fincher said of Tanner. “I told him I’d help him any way I can.

“Growing up on the racetrack, most kids want to do it.”

Todd Fincher is a former jockey. He said he began riding at 16. He’s since become a perennial leading trainer in New Mexico.

My Storm Warrior is returning to stakes company after running third in his trial for the Senor on July 24 at Ruidoso. The last time he ran in a stakes he was second by a neck in the $163,000 Mountain Top Futurity in June at Ruidoso, but he had his number put up following the disqualification of Fill the Bill, who runs back against fillies in the Senorita. My Storm Warrior will break from post 4.

Todd Fincher’s other Senor starters include Aisle Runner, a full brother to Go for a Stroll, a multiple stakes winner who has earned $413,453. Fincher also saddles Digger’s Gold, a trial winner and full brother to stakes winner Mr. Digger, and the maidens Cheese Tray, Delbert Too, and Diabolical Package. Ricky Ramirez, a top Quarter Horse jockey, has been named to ride Diabolical Package, a full brother to That’s The Idea, who was a multiple stakes winner at 2.

The chief threats appear to be Jornalero, who could go favored after winning his trial with a race-best Beyer Speed Figure of 56, and Smooth Blues, a full brother to multiple stakes winner Ancient Land.

Tanner Fincher and maiden Caught Stealing will start from post 2 in the Senorita. Todd Fincher also will saddle a pair of sharp debut winners, The Pacesetter and Comic Hot Toddy.