Sporting his standard duds, including a ball cap, creased jeans and shades, Fincher has his modular phone slung on his belt, ready to be drawn from its holster.

“Busy,” replies the New-Mexico based trainer when asked about how it's all going. “It's just been such a non-stop crazy time, but coming back to Sunland Park, this is my bread and butter.”

Fincher returned only a week ago from his second Middle East junket which capped Senor Buscador's (Mineshaft) successful two-race sojourn to that part of the world. Unless you have resided under an igneous rock, then you know that Joey Peacock's 6-year-old stalwart won the G1 Saudi Cup and then finished third in the G1 Dubai World Cup.

“The experience was great and even though the result in Dubai wasn't what we wanted, everyone was incredibly welcoming,” he said. “Even in a race as big as that one was, I don't get disappointed because at least 75 percent of the time you are going to lose in racing, so getting down like I used to serves no purpose whatsoever.”

Don't misinterpret Fincher's words because he wanted Buscador to win the World Cup. He wants to win them all and badly. Feigning disappointment is his prosaic outlook shining through. You have to have this kind of attitude, which hails from a special place inside and comes from a host of life experiences.

Like a character out of an Ace Reid Cowpoke cartoon, the horseman has a thin build which is a reminder that he used to ride for a living. The mental toughness he developed in the saddle while breaking young horses and as a New Mexico jockey some 30 years ago has served him well, especially in a business like conditioning.

Todd Fincher (left) with Only One America in the Island Fashion S. | Coady Photography

“I'd win three races riding and think I was on top,” he said. “And then that would dry up and I would get really, really down on myself, so you can't do that. It's a humbling sport with so many factors out of your control. You always have to be thankful for wins like Buscador delivered and he is not done yet, we hope.”

Fincher confirmed that Senor Buscador has arrived safely at Peacefield Farm in Temecula, California and will be given several weeks off before a new training cycle could start.

“Just like always, we are going to let him tell us,” he said. “I think the GII Pat O'Brien S. could be possible, we'll see, and then long term, the GI Breeders' Cup Classic.” Two years ago at Del Mar, Buscador finished third in the O'Brien to Laurel River (Into Mischief), who ran away with this year's Dubai World Cup.

While the Saudi Cup champ gets a break, his trainer will be doing nothing of the sort. With Sunland complete, Fincher's stable shifts to SunRay Park up in Farmington, New Mexico, but he loaded up a trailer bound for Hot Springs, Arkansas to start this week.

“We have a couple that I am taking to Oaklawn and I will be there all week,” he said. “I don't like hauling them this far, but it is going to be good to run against competition like this.”

Fincher is entering Perfect Dude (Majesticperfection)–who shifted from Vann Belvoir over to him in February–in Saturday's GIII Count Fleet S. It's a race which will feature Skelly (Practical Joke), who is making his first U.S. start since the gelding ran second in the G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint in Saudi Arabia.

Making the some 900-mile trip to Oaklawn for the GI Apple Blossom S. is Flying Connection (Nyquist). Last year, the filly won the Island Fashion S. and then netted the Sunland Park Oaks, which earned her a spot in the starting gate for the GI Kentucky Oaks. She ran a game sixth in defeat that Friday.

“Perfect Dude is a fairly new acquisition, but I can tell he has a ton of talent and he is really quick out of the gate,” said Fincher. “I think Flying Connection has developed a real tactical advantage and she has really come far since last year when she just went straight to the front all the time.”

Flying Connection is co-owned by Brad King, Randy Andrews, Chris Coleman, Jim Cone, Suzanne Kirby and Lee Lewis, which is the same group who invested in another Fincher-trained runner, Olivia Twist (Mshawish). Incidentally, King, Andrews, Cone and Lewis are a part of MSW Candy Aisle (Gun Runner), who was ninth in Oaklawn's GII Fantasy S. Mar. 30, and who Fincher will possibly send to the Valley of the Vapors S. Apr. 20.

A half-sister to MGSW/MGISP Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator), Olivia Twist already made the trip to Hot Springs to join Candy Aisle and put in a six-panel work over the weekend. According to her trainer, the 4-year-old could be ready for the April 27 running of the Dig A Diamond S., but for now Fincher is taking a wait-and-see approach when it comes to her next start.

Olivia Twist working with Cristian Torres aboard at Oaklawn | courtesy of Robert Yates

“She raced a ton starting as a 2-year-old,” he said. “I really think she needed a good rest and got it during the second half of last year. I really like the way she carries her weight and she's developed over the winter, she has continued to be aggressive in the mornings, so we'll see if that continues to translate to the afternoons.”

Olivia Twist started eight times from when she broke her maiden at Remington Park late in her juvenile year through last summer at Del Mar. The biggest puzzle for Fincher is to figure out what distance she wants.

“That will come,” he said.

In the interim, Todd Fincher has plenty more puzzles to solve as Saudi Arabia and Dubai are now firmly in the rearview mirror. The road to Oaklawn beckons, and that means it is an opportunity to develop some more bread and butter.

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Remington Park controlled handle, on-track and one off-track site, was $3,067,942, down 6% from $3,267,225 in 2022.

Remington hosted 605 races this season, five more than in 2022. From opening day Aug. 18 through the conclusion of the turf season Nov. 11, 92 races were run over the turf this season compared to 108 a year ago. The total purses for the season of $15,847,215 produced a daily average of $236,525. A total of 4,767 horses competed in the 605 events for an average field size per race of 7.9.

The Thoroughbreds return from Aug. 16 to Dec. 13.

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“All the credit goes to [assistant trainer at Remington Park] Pablo [Ocampo],” Asmussen said Friday night when he was on hand as Otto the Conqueror earned 10 Kentucky Derby points with his by win in the Springboard Mile. Asmussen also won the GIII Oklahoma Derby with How Did He Do That earlier in the meet.

“Pablo deserves it for all 18 titles,” Asmussen continued. “It has been a great association with him all these years. I've worked with him here since 1989 and I am extra fortunate to have had him. Winning the first one is one of my fondest memories and I love coming here.”

Elliott captured 74 wins at the Remington meet, 29 more than runner-up Lindey Wade. Elliott, who won the 2004 GI Kentucky Derby aboard Smarty Jones, made Remington Park his regular fall stop in 2019.

“I'm thankful I've had a lot of support here at Remington with Steve [Asmussen] loading me up with live horses and all the other trainers,” said Elliott. “I'm fortunate I have had such good business here and my agent Scott Hare gets a lot of the credit.”

In the owners' standings, Karl Broberg's End Zone Athletics, Inc., of Mansfield, Texas, won its second title in a row and third in the last five years. End Zone was responsible for 18 wins this meet, five more than runner-up L and G Racing Stables (Silvia Castillo) at 13.

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Among the key rulings from the last seven days, the prohibition of intra-articular injections within seven days of a timed or reported workout once again stands out as a thorn in the side of trainers.

Three such cases have been resolved in the past week, resulting in $3,000 fines meted out in each case.

The Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) also handed down a seven-day suspension and $1,000 fine to trainer Norman Follett, for a post-race Lidocaine positive following a September runner at Belmont at the Big A. Lidocaine is a pain reliever used ubiquitously in human medicine.

The details of the ruling are not yet publicly available. But Equibase shows Follett to run a small New York-based stable. This year, he has made only 39 starts and had one winner.

NEW HISA/HIWU STEWARDS RULINGS
The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the HIWU's “pending” and “resolved” cases portals.

Resolved ADMC Violations
Date: 11/4/2023
Licensee: Gustavo Amaya, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $3,000; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Sandpiper Memories. This was also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 10/26/2023
Licensee: Wendell McDaniel, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU.
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Big Difference. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 10/25/2023
Licensee: Peter Miller, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $3,000; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU.
Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Thirsty John. This was also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 10/24/2023
Licensee: Jamie Ness, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $3,000; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU.
Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Dust Devil. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 10/14/2023
Licensee: Ronnie Cravens, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU.
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Saturday's Gold, who won at Remington Park Oct. 14, 2023. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 10/11/2023
Licensee: Darlene Green, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a written reprimand (per 9/26/23 HISA Guidance). Final decision by HIWU.
Explainer: For the presence of Omeprazole—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Highcotton Justice, who finished second at Horseshoe Indianapolis Oct. 11, 2023. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 9/22/2023
Licensee: Norman Follett, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility, beginning on Dec. 5, 2023; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: For the presence of Lidocaine—Controlled Medication (Class B)—in a sample taken from Racing Colors, who finished second at Belmont at the Big A Sept. 22, 2023. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Pending ADMC Violations
Date: 11/01/2023
Licensee: Steve Krebs, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Guaifenesin—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Burn The Evidence, who won at Parx Racing Nov. 1, 2023. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 10/31/2023
Licensee: Ortis Henry, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Glycopyrrolate—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Empress Palpatine, who finished second at Finger Lakes Oct. 31, 2023. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 10/28/2023
Licensee: Tony Lello, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Methocarbamol—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Reel Em In. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Violations of Crop Rule
One important note: HISA's whip use limit is restricted to six strikes during a race.

Del Mar
Armando Aguilar – violation date Dec. 1; $250 fine, one-day suspension
Tyler Gaffalione – violation date Dec. 2; $277 fine, one-day suspension

Remington Park
Jermaine Valentino Bridgmohan – violation date Nov. 29; $250 fine, one-day suspension

OTHER KEY RULINGS
The TDN also publishes a roundup of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky.

Here's a primer on how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public (or not) and where.

California
Track: Del Mar
Date: 12/03/2023
Licensee: Keron Thomas, owner
Penalty: Suspension
Violation: Failure to comply with financial responsibility agreement
Explainer: Owner Keron Thomas is suspended after failing to comply to the terms agreed to in the hearing for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1876 (Financial Responsibility – Sunshine Farms [Boarding cost] $5,170.97). Suspension to commence Dec. 16, 2023.

Track: Del Mar
Date: 12/03/2023
Licensee: Antonio Fresu, jockey
Penalty: One-day suspension
Violation: Competing in one more designated race than permitted
Explainer: Jockey Antonio Fresu is suspended for 1 additional racing day (Dec. 10, 2023) pursuant to California Horse Racing Board rule #1766 (f) (Designated Races – participated in more than one designated race on Dec. 3, 2023).

New York
Track: Aqueduct
Date: 11/30/2023
Licensee: Jose Antonio Gomez, jockey
Penalty: Five-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: Having waived his right to an appeal Jockey Mr. Jose Antonio Gomez is hereby suspended five NYRA racing days. Effective Dec. 7-10, 2023, and Dec. 14, 2023, inclusive. This for careless riding during the running of the 7th race at Aqueduct Racetrack Nov. 25, 2023.

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Here's a primer on how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public (or not) and where.

The TDN also posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from the same week. These include decisions from around the country.

California
Track: Del Mar
Date: 09/10/2023
Licensee: Antonio Fresu, jockey
Penalty: One-day suspension
Violation: Exceeding number of designated race rides
Explainer: Jockey Antonio Fresu is suspended for 1 additional suspension day (October 14, 2023) pursuant to California Horse Racing Board rule #1766 (Designated Races – participated in more than one designated race on September 9, 2023).

NEW HISA/HIWU STEWARDS RULINGS
The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit's “pending” and “resolved” cases portals.

This does not include the voided claim rulings which were sent to the TDN directly. Some of these rulings are from prior weeks as they were not reported contemporaneously.

One important note: HISA's whip use limit is restricted to six strikes during a race.

Violations of Crop Rule
Colonial Downs
Ismerio Villalobos – violation date Sept 8; $250 fine but no further records of the ruling

Horseshoe Indianapolis
Miguel Angel Perez – violation date Sept 6; $250 fine but no further records of the ruling
Richard Edgardo Eramia – violation date Sept 6; $250 fine but no further records of the ruling

Remington Park
Jane Pamela Elliott – violation date Sept 5; $250 fine but no further records of the ruling

Pending ADMC Violations
Date: 08/17/2023
Licensee: Norm Casse, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Intra-articular injection
Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314–Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method–on the horse, Mo Flight. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222–Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 08/13/2023
Licensee: Jennifer Nunnally, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone–Controlled Medications (Class C)–in a sample taken from Seraphimzale. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 08/12/2023
Licensee: Robert Klesaris, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone–Controlled Medications (Class C)–in a sample taken from Battalion, who won at Laurel Park on 8/12/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 08/10/2023
Licensee: Carlos Lopez, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Intra-articular injection
Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3313–Use or Attempted Use of a ControlledMedication Method and/or Controlled Medication Substance during the Race Period–on the horse, I said Hey. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4221–Alkalinization or Use of an Alkalinizing Agent (TCO2)

Date: 08/10/2023
Licensee: Carlos Lopez, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Intra-articular injection
Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3313–Use or Attempted Use of a ControlledMedication Method and/or Controlled Medication Substance during the Race Period–on the horse, Brodytheoxman. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4221–Alkalinization or Use of an Alkalinizing Agent (TCO2)

Date: 08/08/2023
Licensee: Michael Pappada, trainer
Penalty: Provisionally suspended
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Tapentadol–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Truckin Tommy, who finished third at Presque Isle Downs on 8/8/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212–Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.

Date: 08/06/2023
Licensee: Cesar De Alba, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Scary Fast Smile, who finished seventh at Del Mar on 8/6/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of a Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List Workout).

Date: 08/04/2023
Licensee: Devarus Douglass, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone–Controlled Medications (Class C)–in a sample taken from Pickle Feet. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 08/04/2023
Licensee: Jaime Cruz, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Detomidine–Controlled Medications (Class B)–in a sample taken from Animal Princess, who finished third at Delaware Park on 8/4/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 08/03/2023
Licensee: James Toner, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone–Controlled Medications (Class C)–in a sample taken from Commandeer, who won at Colonial Downs on 8/3/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 07/18/2023
Licensee: Jeffrey Englehart, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Acepromazine–Controlled Medications (Class B)–in a sample taken from Wait A Minute. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 07/14/2023
Licensee: Carla Gaines, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Acepromazine–Controlled Medications (Class B)–in a sample taken from Summer Lake. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 07/01/2023
Licensee: Domenick Schettino, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Levamisole–Controlled Medication (Class B)–in a sample taken from Fast Study, who finished second at Belmont Park on 7/1/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 06/18/2023
Licensee: Chris Allen Hartman, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Acepromazine–Controlled Medications (Class B)–in a sample taken from Necker Island, who won at Ellis Park on 6/18/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Resolved ADMC Violations
Date: 08/04/2023
Licensee: Jorge Maravilla, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility, beginning on September 12, 2023; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points.
Explainer: For the presence of Gabapentin–Controlled Medications (Class B)–in a sample taken from Stretch Run, who finished seventh at Santa Rosa on 8/4/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 07/29/2023
Licensee: Andy Mathis, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of the Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a $500 fine; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points.
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone–Controlled Medications (Class C)–in a sample taken from Like No Other, who finished eighth at Del Mar on 7/29/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.

Date: 07/13/2023
Licensee: Christophe Clement, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points.
Explainer: For the presence of Dantrolene–Controlled Medications (Class C)–in a sample taken from My Royal Vow. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.

Date: 07/09/2023
Licensee: Jackie Riddle, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of the Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a $500 fine; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points.
Explainer: For the presence of Methocarbamol–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Drinkroundthetruth, who finished second at Ruidoso Downs on 7/9/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.

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Racing for seven seasons, Welder won 27 of 44 career starts, which includes 15 Listed stakes victories, for total earnings of $1,263,359. The gray sprinter, who will be inducted into the Oklahoma Horse Racing Hall of Fame at Remington Park on Sept. 23, joins the 265 horses currently cared for by Old Friends.

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“In 2001, I was coaching Panama High School in the state softball championships at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium, a couple of furlongs from Remington Park,” Caldwell said upon learning of his Hall of Fame inclusion. “I really got going with horse racing right after that. I would have never thought, that just over 20 years later, I would be going into the Hall of Fame at Remington. I am truly honored.”

Equine entrants into the hall are led by Remington Park all-time wins leader Welder (The Visualizer), who won 16  races at the oval and earned over $1.2 million during his racing career  from 2015-2021. Welder also holds the record for most stakes wins at Remington with 11.

Joining him in the hall of fame are: Shotgun Kowboy (Kodiak Kowboy), winner of the 2015 Oklahoma Derby and a record four Oklahoma Classics Cups; Slide Show (Slewacide), winner of 11 consecutive Remington Park races from 1993 to 1995, including seven stakes races; and fan favorite Darrell Darrell (Boca Rio).

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Murphy's landmark victory aboard Crypto Mo (Mohaymen) in the July 8 GIII Iowa Oaks was her first lifetime graded stakes win after 18,131 lifetime mounts. It was also a neat “full circle” score for the Iowa native, because Murphy (who previously rode under the last names Springman and Noll) had piloted the first-ever winner in the history of Prairie Meadows when that track first opened in 1989.

Win number 2,000 also came with a family connection–Crypto Mo is trained and part-owned by her husband, Travis Murphy. Redemption also played a starring role: A little more than a year ago, that very same filly, then age two, flipped out in the starting gate at Prairie Meadows prior to her debut. Murphy sustained eight broken ribs, four pelvic fractures, and a tear in her abdominal wall, knocking her out of action until Apr. 1 this year.

“I know the screenwriters' guild is on strike, but Hollywood is missing out on a fantastic story here,” quipped the Prairie Meadows racing secretary, Stuart Slagle, when TDN phoned the racing office Sunday morning to track down a phone number for Murphy.

“It was perfect,” Murphy said with a buoyant laugh when reached a few minutes later. “I couldn't have planned it better, to be honest with you.”

Murphy–unlike some jockeys who seem to linger for a long time on the cusp of a milestone win–had only been parked at the 1,999 plateau for six days and a span of just four mounts. But that round number of two grand had been in her head as a target for almost half her lifetime.

“When I first started, I could envision 2,000 wins because I was rolling as a younger rider,” Murphy said. “The first thousand came along a little easier and quicker than the second thousand. I thought it would come a lot sooner, to be honest with you. I started getting injured. Then I stopped to have a few children, so it took me awhile. But if you had asked me five years ago? I would have said no, I'm not going to make it.”

Murphy graduated from Iowa's Muscatine High School in 1980 as an all-state track and cross-country runner. She starred in those two sports at Northeast Missouri State University, where she graduated with a focus in equine studies as one of the top 10 agriculture students in her class. She was later inducted into that college's athletic hall of fame, but by the time that happened in 1999, Murphy had long since transitioned from running in races to horsebacking in them instead.

Starting first as an exercise rider, and then trying her luck as a jockey in South America, Murphy's first victory came in Argentina in 1986. She relocated to Florida and won her first stateside race at Tampa Bay Downs on Dec. 8, 1987. After stints in the mid-Atlantic and a brief foray to New York, Murphy returned to the Midwest after outriding her apprentice allowances.

By 1994, Murphy was a Prairie Meadows mainstay at or near the top of the standings. Through the remainder of that decade she emerged as the nation's winningest woman rider on several occasions. She racked up lifetime score number 1,000 at Hawthorne Race Course in 1998, and also that year established a Prairie Meadows meet record with 112 victories.

A spate of injuries took their toll on Murphy as the 21st Century dawned, slowing her down, but not stopping her. In 2001, she fractured six bones, including her pelvis and ribs, in an Oaklawn Park accident. In 2004, she was sidelined by a broken wrist.

For a while, May 11, 2006, looked like it would be not only Murphy's last day in the saddle, but perhaps the last day she ever walked: A Prairie Meadows mount stumbled out of the gate, veered into another horse, and sent Murphy careening headfirst into the dirt.

“I broke my neck, and I had to be life-flighted to the hospital,” Murphy said on Sunday, recalling the accident matter-of-factly. “I was kind of paralyzed for a week, and I slowly came out of it. They weren't sure I was going to come out of it. But I'm one of the lucky ones, and I did.”

The severity of the spill was initially enough to cause Murphy to call it quits, acting upon the advice of her doctors. She had a surgery that fused her C5, C6 and C7 vertebrae together, and wistfully told the Des Moines Register, “I sure wanted to reach 2,000 wins, but my health is more important to me.”

Murphy and her husband, Travis, had bought a 160-acre farm near Remington Park in Oklahoma shortly before that accident, and she began contemplating other career choices, like going back to school to get a nursing degree. The couple, at that time, had begun focusing on legging up horses for outside clients. But eventually, without the pressure of pointing for another comeback or the day-to-day rigors of the racetrack, Murphy said the farm work with the horses won her over again. In 2008, she returned to competing in races at age 46.

“I really wasn't going to come back to riding,” she said. “But I started messing around, getting on a few. And then I guess I'm a little bit on the crazy side, and I wanted to ride a few more. And then I started creeping closer to 2,000, so I thought, 'Well, why not give it a shot?'”

Although that number remained etched in her brain, Murphy told TDN that the one thing she wouldn't grant any headspace to was the thought of getting hurt.

“I always tell the younger riders, if you get scared out there, you better hang it up. Because that's not a good thing when you're riding scared,” Murphy said.

Murphy's riding workload isn't what it used to be, and she hasn't topped 27 wins in a year in any of the past 15 seasons. She had a 2-for-26 record in 2022, with that season being cut short on June 19 when Crypto Mo sent Murphy on yet another unplanned vacation of rehab and recuperation, just eight wins shy of 2,000.

Despite her gate histrionics, the filly herself was not injured. With Cassidy Fletcher subbing for Murphy, Crypto Mo eventually debuted on July 17, 2022, and managed to win one of her first five starts. Early on as a sprinter, she didn't flash enough talent to suggest she'd be a future graded stakes victress.

But that changed on May 28, 2023, when, after having been reunited with Murphy, Crypto Mo stretched out to two turns for the first time and wired a first-level allowance at Prairie Meadows by a whopping 17 3/4 lengths.

Cindy Murphy rides Crypto Mo | Coady Photography

Crypto Mo, who cost $20,000 as a KEESEP yearling, then wired the $50,000 Panthers S. over a mile at Prairie Meadows June 10. On Saturday night, Murphy again asked her for speed from the get-go, and Crypto Mo was never headed in the $225,000 stakes, running her record to 4-for-8 while bankrolling $210,870 in earnings for the partnership of Travis Murphy, Matt Trent, and Triple V Racing. On Sunday, Crypto Mo was supplemented to the Fasig-Tipton July Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale.

“I thought win number 2,000 would come the previous weekend, when I was on a couple of live horses,” Murphy said. “And then [Friday} I had a horse that had a shot, but he didn't do it. But when the win finally came on Saturday, it was even better, because this was the filly I got hurt on last year, and it's one of ours, from our connections.

“We had a lot of supportive crowd there, so that meant a lot. Even trainer Dale Romans, he came in [and won] one of the big races, and he congratulated me and said, 'Man, ever since I set foot in Iowa, nobody can quit talking about you and hoping you would get your 2,000th win.'” Murphy recalled.

Asked what goal is next now that she's equaled the benchmark she's been chasing for decades, Murphy didn't hesitate in replying.

“I am almost 62 years old, and I promised my kids and my grandkids that I would retire soon. So I am going to finish up the Prairie Meadows meet and I am going to hang up my tack,” Murphy said.

“I need to spend more time with the grandkids. I've got five of them now. I go trail riding with them at the farm. We've got a bunch of soccer players in the family, so I'm always going to the kids' games. And my youngest son is going into his sophomore year at college. He's a big track star, and I go to all of his track meets. It will just give me more time to get to things like this, to spend more time with the family,” Murphy said.

“I'll probably help Travis train, and be his right-hand woman, so to speak. I'll probably still gallop and work horses for him. I don't get on the babies that much anymore; they're a little bit more unpredictable. But I am going to retire from race riding,” Murphy said.

The post The Week In Review: After 2,000 Wins The Hard Way, Next Goal For Murphy Is Retirement appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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With more than 30 years of experience in racing and a trainer for a father, Cathey has served as a groom, pony person, assistant trainer, valet, and assistant starter before moving into track management in 1998 at Retama Park in Texas. He has also worked for Lone Star Park, Sam Houston Race Park, and Will Rogers Downs. He has been in pari-mutuel wagering and simulcast operations and has worked for the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission as a state steward, advancing to the role of executive director of the commission in 2015. He will leave that post to become the director of racing at Remington Park.

“Remington Park and Global Gaming are excited to have Kelly Cathey join our racing team,” said Matt Vance, executive vice president of racing operations at Remington Park. “Kelly has a resume reflective of more than 30 years in the sport, working as a racing executive and regulator. His extensive experience with both Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses and their respective organizations throughout the region makes him uniquely qualified to lead our racing department at Remington Park.”

The post Cathey Named Director of Racing at Remington appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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