Rio Grande Futurity Finals

Fincher trained Better Believe, Storm Leader Defeat Rivals In Rio Grande Futurities at Ruidoso Downs

Ruidoso Downs, NM--Better Believe and Storm Leader proved best Sunday in the Senorita and Senor divisions of the Rio Grande Futurities at Ruidoso Downs Race Track on Sunday.

Better Believe broke on top and pulled away in the stretch to an easy two-length win in the $128,764 Rio Grande Senorita Futurity for owners R.Lee Lewis and Brad King in a winning time of 1:03.66 for five-and-a-half furlongs. Better Believe was ridden by Ricard Eramia for trainer Todd Fincher.

The filly paid $3.00, $2.10 and $2.10 as the heavy favorite. She is sired by Marking out of the mare Lookin Better by Lookin At Lucky. Better Believe has three wins in four career attempts. Storm Leader and jockey Alfredo Juarez Jr. won the 137,784 Rio Grande Senor Futurity by nearly ten lengths after taking the lead in the stretch in full command. Storm Leader paid $3.20, $2.40 and $2.10 in a winning time of 1:04.85 for five-and-a-half furlongs.

The gelding’s sire is Attila’s Storm by the mare Our Flying Angel by Abajo. Storm Leader has three consecutive victories for owners Mike Abraham and Pierre and Leslie Amestoy and trainer Fincher.