Trainer Todd Fincher holds strong hand in New Mexico Classic Lassie
HOBBS – Todd Fincher, currently atop the trainer standings at Zia Park, will send out as many as three starters in Monday’s 21st running of $150,000 New Mexico Classic Lassie Stakes, part of an extraordinary program showcasing the best thoroughbreds bred in the state.
Fincher is scheduled to saddle Norman Allen’s Mark’s Sassy Girl, the 4-to-5 morning line favorite in the 6 furlong event. The 2-year-old filly by Marking, bred in New Mexico by Wesley Gray & Glenda Gray, Mark’s Sassy Girl broke her maiden in her career debut Aug. 28 at Albuquerque Downs. She was most recently third best in the New Mexico State Fair TB Futurity and has earned more than $55,000 in her career.
Mark’s Sassy Girl will break from post two under Alfredo Juarez, Jr. in the Lassie, which will be run as the seventh race on the 10-race card.
Fincher will also send out maiden winner Who Said It’s Easy for owners J. Kirk and Judy Robison. The daughter of Sporting Chance rolled to a maiden win in her debut last month at Albuquerque Downs and will once again be ridden by Aldo Arboleda.
Who Said It’s Easy, listed at 6-to-1 on the morning line, was bred in New Mexico by J. Kirk Robison, Judy Robison & Downstream Racing LLC and will break from post three in the Lassie.
Also representing Fincher and breaking from the rail will be Ernie J. Wood, Brenda Wood and Austin Williams’ American Prada, hoping to snap a two-race losing streak.
The daughter of American Anthem, bred in New Mexico by C. Warren Franklin, is listed at 12-to-1 on the morning line. She will be ridden by Guillermo Rodriguez.
Trainer Dallas Barton will send out Barbara Barton and Jay H. Barton’s Country Club Crush. Bred in New Mexico by Dallas Barton, the daughter of Marking will break from post six in the Lassie and will be ridden by Miguel Fuentes, Jr. as the 4-to-1 second choice on the morning line.
Owners Glen Robertson and Bobby McQueen will send out Caprock Cutie for trainer Dick Cappellucci as the 9-to-2 third choice on the morning line.
Bred in New Mexico by Glen Robertson, the daughter of Marking broke her maiden in her third career start earlier this month over this course and has earned more than $35,000.
Post time for the New Mexico Classic Lassie is set for 2:47 p.m.
The field, with morning line odds and jockeys for the $150,000 NM Classic Lassie:
1 American Prada 12-1 (Guillermo Rodriguez)
2 Mark’s Sassy Girl 4-5 (Alfredo Juarez, Jr.)
3 Who Said It’s Easy 6-1 (Aldo Arboleda)
4 Chance of Snow 15-1 (Ken Tohill)
5 Eighteyesondeborah 20-1 (Tracy Hebert)
6 Country Club Crush 4-1 (Miguel Fuentes, Jr.)
7 Caprock Cutie 9-2 (Ramon Vazquez) Photo of Todd Fincher courtesy Coady Media