By DRF.com
DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov, 5, 2021) — Finneus had the most stakes experience of any of the 12 runners in Friday’s Golden State Juvenile. Under a well-timed ride from Joel Rosario, Finneus recorded his first stakes win in the seven-furlong race for 2-year-old statebreds.
Ridden for the first time by Rosario, Finneus ($10) closed with a wide rally to finish a half-length in front of Slow Down Andy, a second-time starter and the even-money favorite.
Finneus, who races for breeder Terry Lovingier, Amanda Navarro and Naseer Fusihuddin and trainer Walther Solis, won a maiden race for statebreds in June in his second start. He was later second in the Grade 2 Best Pal Stakes and Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity here during the summer meeting, but sixth in the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on Oc. 1 in his only start around two turns.
The son of Stay Thirsty, out of the Ghostzapper mare Mi Fiona, has two wins in six starts and career earnings of 246,366. Finneus has won 2 of 6 starts and earned $246,366.
Solis said Rosario’s timing was a boost for Finneus.
“Joel made a big difference,” Solis said. “I think he’s the right rider for this horse.”
Finneus was timed in 1:23.
“When I started moving, he felt pretty good,” Rosario said. “He’s a big horse and covers a lot of ground.”
Finneus was ninth and then eighth for the first half-mile as Billy’s Bet led through an opening quarter-mile of 22.15 seconds and Fast Draw Munnings led after a half-mile in 45.11. In the stretch, Fast Drew Munnings led narrowly over Slow Down Andy, with Finneus within a length.
Slow Down Andy won his debut last month at Santa Anita. He was close to the front throughout in a wide trip and could not hold off Finneus.
“He’s a nice horse,” jockey Mario Gutierrez said. “I was wide the whole way. I think the next time around he’ll be much better.”
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Fast Draw Munnings (11-1) held third, followed by Socal Red, Lmlooknformischief, Love Candy, I Know Cash Flow, Moose Mitchell, Liberty Forever, Joker Boy, Bandera Azteca and Billy’s Bet.