Rio Grande Senorita and Rio Grande Senor Futurity Trials Run at Ruidoso Downs

Trainer Todd Fincher Qualifies Seven for Rio Grande Senor Futurity Final

Photo of Todd Fincher-trainer Digger's Gold by Jake Rogers, courtesy of Ruidoso Downs

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM – JULY 24, 2020 – New Mexico-bred Thoroughbreds took center stage at Ruidoso Downs today to battle it out for a spot in the finals of the Rio Grande Senorita Futurity and the Rio Grande Senor Futurity finals. Only the first trial heat ran on a fast, dry track as there was an extended rain/lighting delay after which the track condition was changed to wet for the rest of the program. Each final race will go 5 ½ furlongs for a purse $125,000 on August 16th at Ruidoso Downs Race Track.

In the trials for the Rio Grande Senorita Futurity for 2-year-old fillies, the first three finishers from three trials heats gained automatic berths to the finals, and the fourth-place finishers from the three heats will participate in a shake for the final spot tomorrow. The qualifiers include Atill I Chime, Speedy Wildcat, The Pacesetter, Shame On Bea, Bully Baby, Indian Fireblossom, Fill The Bill, Comic Hot Toddy, and Caught Stealing. Ragtime Rhythm, Jasmine Baby, and Our Soaring Angel are the three horses that will shake for the final position.

Trainer Todd Fincher qualified three fillies for the final with Comic Hot Toddy, Caught Stealing, and The Pacesetter. Longtime trainer Fred Danley qualified Fill The Bill and Bully Baby while Joel Marr also qualified two with Atill I Chime and Speedy Wildcat.

In the trials for the Rio Grande Senor Futurity for 2-year-old colts and geldings, the top five finishers from the two heats earned spots in the finals. The qualifiers include Digger’s Gold, Right Jab, My Storm Warrior, Dan Who, Pub, Jornalero, Aisle Runner, Delbert Too, Smooth Blues, and Cheese Tray. Of the 10 qualifiers, seven hail from the Fincher barn.

This weekend’s Zia Festival racing program that celebrates New Mexico-bred Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses continues tomorrow with three stakes races including the Sierra Starlet, the Zia Handicap, and the Zia QH Derby. Saturday also features the inaugural Zia Festival Handicapping Challenge. For an entry fee of $60, individuals get a table for four in the Turf Club, and they will handicap five races – three at Ruidoso Downs, one at Saratoga, and one at Del Mar. At the conclusion of this live wager contest, the player with the largest account balance will win a $200 betting voucher. Interested players can pre-register online or onsite on Saturday.

The Zia Festival culminates on Sunday with the running of the Grade I Zia Futurity where the undefeated Vine Master tries to keep his record perfect. The 400-yard race for 2-year-old Quarter Horses has a purse of $392,547 and will be the featured 9th race on Sunday’s card 

Post time is 1:00 PM MDT on Saturday and Sunday. At this time, the Turf Club and the Jockey Club are limited to 50% capacity due to the Public Health Order from the State of New Mexico. For more information on how to watch online, place your bet with your favorite online wagering provider, or conduct drive-thru wagering, please visit RaceRuidoso.com.