Arkansas Derby run has Finnick the Fierce in the 'right direction'
Saturday's Arkansas Derby (G1) marked the first Grade 1 start for both Finnick the Fierce and his trainer, Rey Hernandez.
Improbably, the 62-1 shot rallied for third in the more difficult of the two divisions, with Finnick the Fierce behind only Nadal and King Guillermo at Oaklawn Park.
"I’m really happy how he ran," Hernandez said Sunday. "I think he’s going the right direction. I think he’s improving. It definitely was a really tough race yesterday, and I’m really pleased how he ran."
The No. 1 post position presented a challenge for the son of Dialed In, whose right eye was surgically removed because of a congenital cataract.
He couldn't see the rest of the field as he broke from the rail and, in theory, could have run even better if drawn wider in the Arkansas Derby. Once tipped out to get his rivals in sight, Finnick the Fierce ranked "best of the rest," according to the official chart, behind a pair of colts who entered off Grade 2 victories of their own.
"It looks like he's a better horse when he's on the outside," Hernandez said. "It looks like when he sees the competition, he's more competitive."
Finnick the Fierce was coming off a win in a 1 1/16-mile allowance race on April 4 at Oaklawn, elevated by stewards that due after another horse interfered in the stretch. That marked his first victory since a maiden-breaking effort last June.
The gelding delivered another top effort in November's Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs to hit the Kentucky Derby radar. He added 20 qualifying points in the Arkansas Derby to total 25, good for 20th on the leaderboard.
Hernandez, who owns Finnick the Fierce with Dr. Arnaldo Monge, said the the horse was headed back to Kentucky on Sunday morning, though he doesn't know what his next outing will be as he takes things "one day at a time."
"Maybe something at Churchill Downs," Hernandez added. "We're really happy they're running again because at the moment, I'm not seeing anything. Hopefully, something comes up in the next four or five weeks."
Pending a stakes schedule from Churchill, which resumes racing May 16, the Matt Winn (G3) is a traditional early summer event for 3-year-olds on the dirt. It could perhaps take on added meaning this season as points-paying preps are added to the schedule ahead of the Sept. 5 Kentucky Derby.