Page 25 - NMHBA Spring 2020

THE THOROUGHBREDS
TODD FINCHER
Another highly successful trainer who grew up on the New Mexico racing circuit, first as a jockey and now a trainer, Fincher nearly got to spend the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs. His horse, Runaway Ghost, won the Sunland Derby in 2018 and thus qualified for the derby, but suf- fered a shin fracture that forced him to stay home. Most of Fincher’s horses are Thoroughbreds, though he does train a few Quarter Horses.
His 2-year-old New Mexico bred Thor- oughbreds include colts Awesome Storm, One Mark, Delbert Too and Diabolical Package, and the fillies Miss Lubbock and Jessica Lee.
“As far as my crop this year, so far it looks better than last year,” said Fincher, who added that most of his 2-year-old state breds won’t get their first start until later in the year.
“You don’t have to have them ready to run early,” says Fincher. “You don’t have to push them. You wait until they’re ready and go from there.”
One Mark, Delbert Too, Miss Lubbock, and Jessica Lee are all from the stud Marking, whose first crop of foals will be running this year.
Diabolical Package is by Diabolical and Awesome Storm is by Awesome Indian. Awesome Storm, says Fincher, is an intriguing horse.
“He’s worked and done everything like an older horse,” said Fincher. “He acts like he’s been around for five or six years. We don’t push them at this stage, but they tip their hand a little bit and let you know.”
Fincher says Awesome Storm is a mild-man- nered athlete with a “sweetheart” disposition.
“Usually a sweetheart horse doesn’t run real fast, they don’t have the fight in them. But this horse has been a surprise because as far as we know, the pedigree isn’t the best. I don’t know how fast he is, but he definitely possesses the talent. We don’t know if he’s a world-beater or just a nice little horse.”
“We have horses that are going to run short. Horses that are going to run long and in between,” Fincher said. “By midsummer, we should be doing really well. I’d be sur- prised if we’re not, but it is horse racing and you never know.”
Todd Fincher’s 2-year-old New Mexico bred Thoroughbreds include:
Awesome Storm
FRED DANLEY
Danley trains both breeds. His barn currently has about 15 New Mexico bred Quarter Horses and eight or nine Thoroughbreds.
Among the 2-year-Quarter Horses are the colts Christom and Splash of Wine.
“We think (Christom) is going to be very good,” said Danley. “We’ve breezed him a couple of times and, so far, he’s been nothing but business.”
Christom is owned by Doug and Sue May of Fort Stockton, Texas, who paid $150,000 for him at Ruidoso last summer. The colt is by Jesse James Jr., out of a Dash For Cash mare.
Splash of Wine, a gelding by Woodbridge out of the dam First Cowgirl Flash, is a homebred owned by Kim and Fred Danley.
“He’s kind of like Christom,” said Danley. “He gets on the racetrack and is all business. He’s ready to go.”
His New Mexico bred 2-year-old Thor- oughbreds include Bully Baby, owned by the Mays, and RC Gambler, another home- bred owned by the Danleys. He’s by the stud Infinite Resources (who earned nearly $400,000 in his racing career) from the mare A Penny Lane.
Fred Danley’s barn currently has about 15 New Mexico bred Quarter Horses and eight or nine Thoroughbreds, including
Bully Baby
Christom
RC Gambler
Splash Of Wine
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