Page 56 - New Mexico Horse Breeder Spring 2018

“It’s really kind of a funny deal I have with him. He’ll go in halves with me on anything I want to do. He’s never owned an entire horse – just half.”
She’s never dodged any bullets. One of the funny things about her is that she still has her little quirks. I know every one of them and there’s no problem dealing with them when you have a horse like this one.
“She’s definitely made me proud as well as made me look good as a trainer. She’s been the biggest one of my career and I’m grateful.”
There’s just one thing about the mare that bothers Fincher.
“She’s still sound,” he said, “but it’s been decided that she’ll retire. The barn will seem empty without her. I’ll get used to it eventually but I’ll probably never like it..”
It’s too bad but that’s the way it usually is with those once-in-a-lifetime horses.
NM Co-Champion TB Broodmares
VIPERVAPOR
(Devon Lane-Viperous, Raise A Man)
Bred by: W.L. Mooring & Mack Weston Owned by: Fred A. Alexander, Todd W. Fincher & Brad E. King
SHINE MISS COMET
(Comet Shine-Atlantic Miss, Faith) Bred by: Michael Weatherly Owned by: Susan Vescovo
Remember earlier when Robert Driggers commented about the quality of the Thoroughbred broodmares in New Mexico? How that quality was on the up-swing? How that was going to make a positive difference in the state’s TB industry?
Enter proof of Driggers’ statements.
The 2017 broodmare competition was so stiff that the honor was spread across both Vipervapor and Shine Miss Comet.
Vipervapor is credited with Diabolical Dame, the highest earning TB of 2017 with an impressive $238,500. Diabolical Dame is one of the stars of the partnerships involving Todd Fincher, Fred Alexander, Brad King, Joe Dee Brooks, Scott Bryant and Derrol Hubbard.
Sharing equally in the 2017 Broodmare recognition is Shine Miss Comet, who stepped up to the dais by virtue of 2017 leading progeny earnings. The total of $292,330 was divided between Shining Source with $187,648 and Kimbell with $104,682.
“She’s still sound,” he said, “but it’s been decided that she’ll retire.
has always been easily recognized in both the Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse camps.
Okay. Fine. That explains what Rust wanted. Hopefully, it also explains what Rust got. It’s just nigh on to impossible to condense such a big man into a pint-sized caricature of the original.
First question: What is the connection between Rust and Barton Ranch Stables, LLC? “George Barton owns Barton Oil and Gas,” began Rust’s answer. “I ran into him one night
in a bar and, soon after, I started renting some stalls from him. At one time he had some cutting horses, but they’re a thing of the past.
“It’s really kind of a funny deal I have with him. He’ll go in halves with me on anything I want to do. He’s never owned an entire horse – just half. I was in Colorado one time and happened to see a bunch of Charolais cattle. There were 62 head and I thought it might be nice to have them if I could get a good price. I called George and said, ‘You wouldn’t want to go into the cow business with me, would you?’ He said, ‘Sure.’ I couldn’t believe it.
“We don’t get together often but, when we do, we have a lot of fun.”
Rust is a railbird but not a rail sitter. “I watch and I listen, and I’m pretty good at
both. I claimed Shining Source after his first start, knowing that he was doing just about everything wrong. I left the claim slip with my son-in-law (John Martinez), and made sure he understood. He called me a little while later and asked if I was sure. I said, ‘Yes, I’m sure.’
“I’d watched the horse gallop. I liked him but most people weren’t very high on Source, his sire. They didn’t understand Source was a much better horse than he seemed.
“It turned out that Shining Source had a paralyzed flapper, but he still won $120,000 before surgery. Flapper surgery is one thing
I’ve never been a fan of but his vet did an outstanding job. He threw a couple of bad races early on but then he just seemed to get better and better. A mile or more is his best distance, but he can go all the way out to 1 1⁄4-mile.
“I think we’ve managed him well and he’s earned more than $403,000 from 37 starts. We’ll probably give him another four this year.”
Rust and Barton have shared 20 or more horses together – a half for Barton and a half for Rust. Barton will probably never own an entire horse. Maybe that’s why he never goes to see them run.....it’s too hard to figure out which half is his and if you can’t figure that out, how will you know which half to watch?
NM Champion TB Older Mare
DIABOLICAL DAME
(Diabolical-Vipervapor, Devon Lane)
Bred by: Fred Alexander, Todd Fincher, Brad King Owned by: Joe Dee Brooks, Scott Bryant,
Derrol Hubbard
Trained by: Todd Fincher
2017: 7 4-2-1 $238,500
Carlos Salazar, Bold Ego H., Lincoln H.,
NM Classic Cup Distaff Sprint Championship
Todd Fincher returns to the stage with Diabolical Dame; wearing his son-in-law, breeder and trainer caps.
Diabolical Dame, a good-looking gray roan mare, is a brilliant illustration of what people mean when they say so-and-so is a “horse
of a lifetime.” The best they’ve had. Don’t expect to have another one like it. Awesome. Inspirational. One of those damned good horses that just don’t come around very often.
And, if you get one, you better ratchet up your graditude-ometer and take very, very good care of her/him.
What are the elements making Diabolical Dame such a stand-out?
First, she’s stayed sound and willing through 26 starts spread over a four-season career. Second, her record from those 26 efforts was 15-7-2. That means she finished out-of-the-money only twice. Third, she’s only $3,520 short of $700,000 in lifetime earnings. Fourth, she’s never been forced into even one extensive lay-off due to injury. What did we say about a “horse of a lifetime?”
“I’ve worked with her since she was a baby,” said Fincher. “I don’t know exactly what to say about her.
“She’s been ultra-consistent her entire career, giving us a look at the future when she won her first race.
“She’s always gone up against some of the best competition and more than held her own.
54 New Mexico Horse Breeder