California Crown: Fincher wary of pace scenario for Buscador

It’s been a year to remember for trainer Todd Fincher, Peacock Family Racing Stable and all those associated with veteran campaigner Senor Buscador, who returns to action in Saturday’s Grade I, $1 million California Crown presented by SirDavis American Whisky at Santa Anita.

In four starts this year, Senor Buscador has racked up more than $11.7 million in earnings. He won the world’s richest horse race in February, the $20 million Saudi Cup; was third in the $12 million Dubai World Cup in March; and second by just a neck to California Crown rival National Treasure in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup in January at Gulfstream Park. “It’s been fun,” Fincher said by phone Wednesday afternoon.

Connections hope the fun times will continue through two more starts this year, starting with Saturday’s California Crown and ending with the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic Nov. 2 at Del Mar.

Senor Buscador was one of seven horses entered Monday for the first-ever California Crown, which is contested at 1 1/8 miles on dirt. The field will be reduced by at least one, however. Trainer John Sadler Thursday morning confirmed Indispensable has shipped to Remington Park where he will compete instead in the GIII, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby.

After Senor Buscador’s trip to the Middle East, he received a nearly five-month vacation before resurfacing at Del Mar in the GII Pat O’Brien sprinting seven furlongs Aug. 24. He would finish fourth that day, behind winner Raging Torrent, in what Fincher described as a “great” comeback effort.

“He ran against some very fast horses,” Fincher said. “It might not look like it on paper, but he ran a very good race.” Senor Buscador now gets to stretch-out around two turns where he has been his most effective. That’s the good news. The concern for Fincher is the likely pace scenario he faces in the California Crown. Three of the runners—National Treasure, Muth and Newgate—are all trained by Bob Baffert. Fincher thinks that will pose a problem for jockey Joe Talamo and Senor Buscador, whose preferred running style is to lag behind early and come running late.

“That’s not conducive for us. I just don’t think the race is going to set up,” Fincher said. “I know he’ll run a good race, but I’m probably going to be on the losing end. Still, this should set him up great for the Breeders’ Cup, which will likely be loaded with a lot more speed.”

The winner of Saturday’s California Crown receives an automatic berth into this year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic. The California Crown is one of five stakes on Saturday. Also set to go is the GII, $750,000 California Crown John Henry Turf Championship presented by 1/ST Bet; GII, $750,000 California Crown Eddie D Stakes presented by FanDuel ; GII, $200,000 City of Hope Mile, presented by MyRacehorse, a “Win and You’re In” for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile; and $100,000 Unzip Me Stakes presented by TAA for 3-year-old fillies on the hillside turf.