Thank goodness these things are sorted out on the racetrack. A recent look at the major international rankings of the top thoroughbreds made this fan squint. There’s something for everyone. And if you’re a follower of the 6-year-old stallion named Mr. Buscador Like many others, your confusion is completely deserved.
The Longines World’s Best Horses Ranking, compiled by a committee led by Laurel River who has not raced since winning the Dubai World Cup (G1) with a first-place finish in March. Senor Buscador, who finished third behind Laurel River after winning the Saudi Cup (G1) in February, can be found in a group of international names ranked 10th.
Thoroughbred Racing Commentary’s global rankings, based on a formula that appeals to the more esoteric, rank Hong Kong’s formidable Romantic Warrior on top, on the strength of five consecutive wins ended by Japan’s Yasuda Kinen (G1) on June 2. As it has been more than four months since his last race, Senor Buscador is unranked. His highest position is 19th.
The Breeders’ Cup is in with a target list of contenders for its big event, the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). To their knowledge, a panel of 47 media and racing officials—somehow managing without this reporter—listed four 3-year-olds among the top five horses in their most recent poll, led by the Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Dornoch . Senor Buscador can be found at number seven.
Finally, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association asked a panel of 32 people who cover horse racing every week (I admit I was one of them) to vote on their top 10 picks. Presumably, their picks were based on a careful analysis of many factors related to horse quality. Me? I went with height.
This week’s NTRA poll gives a sense of the mares Anna Thorpedo in first place, with Senor Buscador in second. Last week’s NTRA poll showed Senor Buscador in first place, with Thorpedo Anna in second. The only thing they did between polls was a record workout on the morning of August 8. She worked five-eighths at Saratoga Race Trackwhile he was halfway there Del Mar. Imagine that.
Either way, they could settle their differences across the coasts on August 24, when Thorpedo Anna attempts to become the first mare to win the Travers Stakes (G1) since World War I and Senor Buscador makes her first start since Dubai in the seven-furlong Pat O’Brien Stakes (G2) at Del Mar.
On the morning of August 16, the good “Senor” played his game at Del Mar in his final big comeback prep. The big brown stallion ran five-eighths in a crowd-pleasing :59 1/5 under Joe Talamo, who was riding Senor Buscador for the first time at O’Brien. The crowd included trainer Todd Fincher and owners Kim and Joe Peacock Jr.
“I’ve never seen him like that,” Fincher said. “Maybe he works so well because he gets along so well with Joe. He’s never been a good workhorse on his own. He wants competition.”
Junior Alvarado rode Senor Buscador to second place in the 2023 Cigar Mile Handicap (G2) and the 2024 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1), then joined Senor Buscador in international adventures. Kentucky-based Talamo, who supported Senor Buscador during the summer season, has been working with Senor Buscador since June.
“If I’m worried about a rider, I’m worrying too much,” Fincher said. “He’s run 19 times with nine different riders. Now he’s going to run 20 times with 10. He’s actually pretty easy to ride. You just sit there and do nothing until it’s time to get in or out for him to move. You just stay away from him.”
This is good advice, whether in the saddle or on the ground. Senor Buscador has a clear taste for human flesh, as evidenced by the colorful array of bruises he leaves on the arms of unsuspecting riders and admirers.
“He convinced everyone,” Fincher said, and Joe Peacock confirmed this.
“They lent us a groom to help Todd in Saudi Arabia,” Peacock recalled. “The guy didn’t speak English, but as he was leaving the track one morning, he looked at us and did this.”
The peacock uses both hands to simulate a chewing jaw, which can be translated into any language.
Rose’s Desert His dam, was already a prized gem before Senor Buscador won the $10 million Saudi Cup jackpot. Three half-siblings, including 2018 Sunland Derby (G3) winner The Ghost Runs Away won six figures. Fincher, who describes himself as “normal Todd Pletcher,” was asked what the family members have in common.
“It’s all good for us, but it all takes time to develop, whether you’re in a hurry or not,” Fincher said. “So you might as well be patient.”
This speaks to the good chances of Yes Candy Senor Buscador’s sister Candy Trip lives a few doors down in the Fincher barn. She won her first race last year in New Mexico, but has yet to make an impression in her two starts at Del Mar this summer. With just three starts, she’s clearly on the family watch.
If all goes well with Senor Buscador, O’Brien will lead the $1 million California Crown (G1) on September 28 at Santa Anita Park and then return to Del Mar for the Breeders’ Cup Classic on November 2, with a $7 million prize for the first time this year. Thanks to his score in Saudi, Senor Buscador leads the list of international prize winners in 2024. So with just $250,000, O’Brien appears to have fallen below his pay grade, after running in consecutive races with prize money of $3 million, $20 million and $12 million.
“Money is nice, but it’s not about the money,” Fincher said. “If it was, they would have sold him a long time ago.”
After returning from the Middle East, Senor Buscador spent five weeks resting and relaxing at John and Jerry Amerman’s Peacefield Farm in Temecula, California. As he got ready to get back into light training, Fincher was busy dealing with the fires and floods that affected his large group of runners in New Mexico at his stables in Ruidoso DownsSo Richard Baltas took care of Senor Buscador for about a month. He returned to work on May 30 at the San Luis Rey Training Center, two months after the World Cup.
“After all that riding and excitement, it was so intense that I enjoyed that little break,” Joe Peacock said. “After 30 days, I was like, ‘Damn, I wish we could run again.’”
Wish come true.
