Thank goodness this stuff are settled on the racetrack. A latest look on the main worldwide rankings of prime Thoroughbreds left this fan cross-eyed. There was one thing for everybody. And in case you are a camp follower of the 6-year-old struggle horse named Senor Buscador , as many are, your confusion is well-earned.
The Longines World’s Finest Racehorse Rankings, compiled by committee, are led by Laurel River , who has not raced since successful the Dubai World Cup (G1) by a pole in March. Senor Buscador, who completed third to Laurel River after successful the Saudi Cup (G1) in February, will be present in a cluster of worldwide names ranked tenth.
The Thoroughbred Racing Commentary World Rankings, primarily based on a system interesting to the extra esoterically inclined, places Hong Kong’s formidable Romantic Warrior on prime, on the power of 5 straight wins capped by Japan’s Yasuda Kinen (G1) June 2. Because it has been greater than 4 months since his final race, Senor Buscador will not be ranked. His highest putting had been nineteenth.
Breeders’ Cup will get into the act with a focused rating of contenders for his or her massive one, the Breeders’ Cup Basic (G1). Of their knowledge, a panel of 47 media and racing officers—by some means managing with out this reporter—listed 4 3-year-olds among the many prime 5 of their most up-to-date ballot, led by Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Dornoch . Senor Buscador will be present in seventh.
Lastly, the Nationwide Thoroughbred Racing Affiliation solicits a prime 10 ballot from a gaggle of 32 racing media regulars every week (I admit to being amongst them). Presumably, their alternatives are knowledgeable by thorough evaluation of the numerous elements concerned in racehorse high quality. Me? I’m going by top.Join BloodHorse Every day
This week’s NTRA ballot put filly sensation Thorpedo Anna on prime, with Senor Buscador an in depth second. Final’s week’s NTRA ballot discovered Senor Buscador in first place, Thorpedo Anna second. The one factor they did between polls was report exercises on the morning of Aug. 8. She labored five-eighths at Saratoga Race Course, whereas he went a stable half at Del Mar. Go determine.
Anyway, they’ll kind out their bi-coastal variations Aug. 24, when Thorpedo Anna tries to develop into the primary filly to win the Travers Stakes (G1) since World Warfare I and Senor Buscador makes his first begin since Dubai within the seven-furlong Pat O’Brien Stakes (G2) at Del Mar.
On the morning of Aug. 16, the great “Senor” was on his recreation at Del Mar in his remaining main comeback prep. The person-sized bay labored five-eighths in a crowd-pleasing :59 1/5 below Joe Talamo, who shall be driving Senor Buscador for the primary time within the O’Brien. The group included coach Todd Fincher and homeowners Kim and Joe Peacock Jr.
“I’ve by no means seen him like that ever,” Fincher stated. “Perhaps he is working that good as a result of he is getting together with Joe that good. He is by no means been a superb work horse by himself. He desires some competitors.”
Junior Alvarado picked up the mount on Senor Buscador for second-place finishes within the 2023 Cigar Mile Handicap (G2) and 2024 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1), then was aboard for Senor Buscador’s worldwide adventures. Kentucky-based Talamo, readily available for the summer season season, has been working Senor Buscador since June.
“If I am worrying a few jockey I am worrying an excessive amount of,” Fincher stated. “He is run 19 instances with 9 totally different riders. Now it will likely be 20 instances with 10. He is fairly simple to journey, really. You simply sit there and do nothing till its time to go inside or outdoors to make his transfer. You simply have to remain out of his method.”
That is good recommendation, within the saddle or on the bottom. Senor Buscador has a particular style for human flesh, evidenced by an array of colourful bruises left on the arms of unsuspecting handlers and admirers.
“He is gotten all people,” Fincher stated, which Joe Peacock confirmed.
“They loaned us a groom to assist Todd in Saudi Arabia,” Peacock recalled. “The man did not converse any English, however coming off the monitor one morning he checked out us and did this.”
Peacock used each fingers to pantomime a set of chomping jaws, which interprets in any language.
Photograph: Benoit PhotoKim and Joe Peacock
The Peacocks bred Senor Buscador from a household they’ve nurtured for generations. Rose’s Desert , his dam, was already a pearl of nice value earlier than Senor Buscador hit the Saudi Cup’s $10 million jackpot. Three half siblings, together with 2018 Sunland Derby (G3) winner Runaway Ghost , received properly into six figures. Fincher, who describes himself as “the generic Todd Pletcher,” was requested what the members of the family have had in widespread.
“They’ve all been good to us, however all take time to develop, whether or not you are in a rush or not,” Fincher stated. “So that you would possibly as properly be affected person.”
This speaks properly for the probabilities of Aye Sweet , Senor’s Buscador’s little sister by Sweet Experience  , who lives a couple of doorways down within the Fincher shed row. She received a maiden race final yr in New Mexico, however has but to make an impression in two Del Mar begins this summer season. Solely 3, she is clearly on the household clock.
If all goes properly with Senor Buscador, the O’Brien will result in the $1 million California Crown (G1) Sept. 28 at Santa Anita Park after which again to Del Mar for the Breeders’ Cup Basic Nov. 2, price $7 million for the primary time this yr. By advantage of his Saudi rating, Senor Buscador leads the 2024 worldwide record of cash winners. So, at simply $250,000, the O’Brien would appear to fall properly under his pay grade, after working in consecutive races with purses of $3 million, $20 million, and $12 million.
“The cash’s good, however none of it is in regards to the cash,” Fincher stated. “If that was the case, they might have offered him lengthy prior to now.”
After coming back from the Center East, Senor Buscador acquired 5 weeks of R&R on the Peacefield Farm of John and Jerry Amerman in Temecula, Calif. When he was prepared to return to gentle coaching, Fincher was busy coping with the fires and floods impacting his giant string of New Mexico-based runners at his secure at Ruidoso Downs, so Richard Baltas taken care of Senor Buscador for a few month. He was again on the work tab Could 30 at San Luis Rey Coaching Middle, two months to the day following the World Cup.
“In spite of everything that journey and pleasure, it was so intense I form of loved that little break,” Joe Peacock stated. “Then after 30 days I assumed, ‘Rattling, I want we have been working once more.'”
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