Trainer Fincher Dominates Trials For Rio Grande Senor/Senorita Futurities At Ruidoso Downs Race Track

Ruidoso Downs, NM—Trainer Todd Fincher dominated today’s trials for the $137,756 Rio Grande Senor and $128,760 Rio Grande Senorita Futurities at Ruidoso Downs Race Track. Fincher’s Storm Leader, a two year-old New Mexico-bred gelding, ran the fastest trial time of the day, 1:04.88 seconds for five-and-a-half furlongs, to win the 5th race and qualify for the August 14 final of the Rio Grande Senor Futurity. Fincher could have as many as six horses qualify for the final should one of two horses he trains win a shake-drawing for the tenth position in the final to be determined tomorrow. Storm Leader was ridden by Alfredo Juarez Jr. and is owned by Mike Abraham and Pierre and Leslie Amestoy. The gelding’s sire is Attila’s Storm out of the mare Our Flying Angel by Abajo.

Other horses that qualified for the Rio Grande Senior Futurity include: Rattila, Mr Rigger, Antonios Mark, George Who, Painted Smoke, Leave Them Behind, Nostrangrtotherain and Valentino Who. Musics My Voice, Hennessy Looker Rf and Playthemarker will be involved in Saturday’s drawing to determine the tenth finalist.

In trials for the $128,760 Rio Grande Senorita Futurity, Fincher swept the two qualifying races and will start six fillies in the final to be held August 14. The most impressive winner was Better Believe who scored a nine-length victory in the third race in a time of 1:05.0 for five-and-a-half furlongs.

Better Believe was ridden by Christian Ramos for owners R. Lee Lewis and Brad King. The filly’s sire is Marking out of the mare Lookin Better by Lookin At Lucky. Other fillies who qualified for the Senorita Futurity include: Doer Not a Faker; Bye Bye Brooky; Stormy Dame; Pretty Peppy; Ladies Sister; Sheza Hailstorm; Bryns Mark; Mama Was a Rocket and Atillas Angel.