Thank goodness these things are settled on the racetrack. A recent glance at the major international rankings of top Thoroughbreds left this fan cross-eyed. There was something for everyone. And if you are a camp follower of the 6-year-old war horse named Senor Buscador , as many are, your confusion is well-earned.
The Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings, compiled by committee, are led by Laurel River, who has not raced since winning the Dubai World Cup (G1) by a pole in March. Senor Buscador, who finished third to Laurel River after winning the Saudi Cup (G1) in February, can be found in a cluster of international names ranked 10th.
The Thoroughbred Racing Commentary Global Rankings, based on a formula appealing to the more esoterically inclined, puts Hong Kong's formidable Romantic Warrior on top, on the strength of five straight wins capped by Japan's Yasuda Kinen (G1) June 2. Since it has been more than four months since his last race, Senor Buscador is not ranked. His highest placing had been 19th.
Breeders' Cup gets into the act with a targeted ranking of contenders for their big one, the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). In their wisdom, a panel of 47 media and racing officials—somehow managing without this reporter—listed four 3-year-olds among the top five in their most recent poll, led by Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Dornoch . Senor Buscador can be found in seventh.
Finally, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association solicits a top 10 poll from a group of 32 racing media regulars each week (I admit to being among them). Presumably, their selections are informed by thorough analysis of the many factors involved in racehorse quality. Me? I go by height.
This week's NTRA poll put filly sensation Thorpedo Anna on top, with Senor Buscador a close second. Last's week's NTRA poll found Senor Buscador in first place, Thorpedo Anna second. The only thing they did between polls was record workouts on the morning of Aug. 8. She worked five-eighths at Saratoga Race Course, while he went a solid half at Del Mar. Go figure.
Anyway, they can sort out their bi-coastal differences Aug. 24, when Thorpedo Anna tries to become the first filly to win the Travers Stakes (G1) since World War I and Senor Buscador makes his first start since Dubai in the seven-furlong Pat O'Brien Stakes (G2) at Del Mar.
On the morning of Aug. 16, the good "Senor" was on his game at Del Mar in his final major comeback prep. The man-sized bay worked five-eighths in a crowd-pleasing :59 1/5 under Joe Talamo, who will be riding Senor Buscador for the first time in the O'Brien. The crowd included trainer Todd Fincher and owners Kim and Joe Peacock Jr.
"I've never seen him like that ever," Fincher said. "Maybe he's working that good because he's getting along with Joe that good. He's never been a good work horse by himself. He wants some competition."
Junior Alvarado picked up the mount on Senor Buscador for second-place finishes in the 2023 Cigar Mile Handicap (G2) and 2024 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1), then was aboard for Senor Buscador's international adventures. Kentucky-based Talamo, on hand for the summer season, has been working Senor Buscador since June.
"If I'm worrying about a jockey I'm worrying too much," Fincher said. "He's run 19 times with nine different riders. Now it will be 20 times with 10. He's pretty easy to ride, actually. You just sit there and do nothing until its time to go inside or outside to make his move. You just have to stay out of his way."
This is good advice, in the saddle or on the ground. Senor Buscador has a definite taste for human flesh, evidenced by an array of colorful bruises left on the arms of unsuspecting handlers and admirers.
"He's gotten everybody," Fincher said, which Joe Peacock confirmed.
"They loaned us a groom to help Todd in Saudi Arabia," Peacock recalled. "The guy didn't speak any English, but coming off the track one morning he looked at us and did this."
Peacock used both hands to pantomime a set of chomping jaws, which translates in any language.
The Peacocks bred Senor Buscador from a family they have nurtured for generations. Rose's Desert, his dam, was already a pearl of great price before Senor Buscador hit the Saudi Cup's $10 million jackpot. Three half siblings, including 2018 Sunland Derby (G3) winner Runaway Ghost, won well into six figures. Fincher, who describes himself as "the generic Todd Pletcher," was asked what the family members have had in common.
"They've all been good to us, but all take time to develop, whether you're in a hurry or not," Fincher said. "So you might as well be patient."
This speaks well for the chances of Aye Candy, Senor's Buscador's little sister by Candy Ride , who lives a few doors down in the Fincher shed row. She won a maiden race last year in New Mexico, but has yet to make an impression in two Del Mar starts this summer. Only 3, she is clearly on the family clock.
If all goes well with Senor Buscador, the O'Brien will lead to the $1 million California Crown (G1) Sept. 28 at Santa Anita Park and then back to Del Mar for the Breeders' Cup Classic Nov. 2, worth $7 million for the first time this year. By virtue of his Saudi score, Senor Buscador leads the 2024 international list of money winners. So, at just $250,000, the O'Brien would seem to fall well below his pay grade, after running in consecutive races with purses of $3 million, $20 million, and $12 million.
"The money's good, but none of it's about the money," Fincher said. "If that was the case, they would have sold him long before now."
After returning from the Middle East, Senor Buscador got five weeks of R&R at the Peacefield Farm of John and Jerry Amerman in Temecula, Calif. When he was ready to go back to light training, Fincher was busy dealing with the fires and floods impacting his large string of New Mexico-based runners at his stable at Ruidoso Downs, so Richard Baltas looked after Senor Buscador for about a month. He was back on the work tab May 30 at San Luis Rey Training Center, two months to the day following the World Cup.
"After all that travel and excitement, it was so intense I kind of enjoyed that little break," Joe Peacock said. "Then after 30 days I thought, 'Damn, I wish we were running again.'"
Wish granted.
