Sunland Oaks winner Flying Connection seeks win in Kentucky Oaks

Longtime New Mexico-based horse trainer Todd Fincher has long held optimism that his 3-year-old Kentucky-bred filly, Flying Connection, would have a chance to do great things in her career.

So far the horse has lived up to that optimism, qualifying for the Kentucky Oaks on Friday at Churchill Downs in Louisville. The race, a Grade I with a $1,250,000 purse, is for fillies only and leads into Saturday's Kentucky Derby for 3-year-old's. The race will be contested at a 1 1/8th miles.

"She worked well after the win at Sunland Park and she's gone to Kentucky and worked well at Churchill," Fincher said. "Flying Connection has the ability to win the race. I'm excited to see how she performs in this race. I'm happy for the owners that they are getting this chance in such a special race."

Flying Connection earned her way to Churchill Downs by winning the March 26 Sunland Oaks at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino in a time of 1 minute, 43.90 seconds over the 1 1/16th miles distance.

Flying Connection had a strong winter at Sunland Park, earning a third in the Borderplex Stakes and a 9 1/4 length romp in the Island Fashion Stakes. In the Borderplex Stakes, she had a troubled start but managed to hit the board.

In the Sunland Oaks win, Flying Connection's ample early speed allowed her to go wire to wire and one has to figure she'll be a pace setter in the Kentucky Oaks. Flying Connection, who was purchased for $250,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September sale, has won four of her last five starts.

Flying Connection's ownership group consists of Brad King, Randy Andrews, Chris Coleman, Jim Cone, Suzanne Kirby and Lee Lewis. All but Coleman are from Lubbock and Coleman hails from Farmington, N.M. and recently joined the ownership group.

"It's an amazing feeling to see this horse get to the Kentucky Oaks and be a part of something so special," Coleman said. "We appreciate everything Flying Connection has given us to get to this point and go up against the best fillies in the world. It's so hard to get to this type of race and I'm in awe of the whole size of the event."

Flying Connection will face 13 rivals in Friday's race, which is slated to start at 3:51 p.m. El Paso Time and which is race No. 11. Flying Connection drew the No. 10 post and was given morning-line odds of 15-1. Florent Geroux is the jockey and the race will be televised by USA Network. The morning-line favorite is Wet Paint at odds of 5-2.

"We're taking it all in and enjoying the moment," said King, a longtime friend of Fincher. "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity. We've gotten so many well wishers, we feel like the whole Southwest of the racing world is behind us. All of us owners have put in time and energy over the years, it's nice that it's paying off. Seeing the draw for the Kentucky Oaks was pretty good, but it was nerve wracking. But we feel good about where Flying Connection will start from. She's really been working great since the Sunland Oaks and Todd is excited and optimistic. We just want a good, clean trip."

The last Sunland Oaks winner to win the Kentucky Oaks was Plum Pretty in 2011.

The same connections will also send Olivia Twist to post in Grade II, seven furlong Eight Belles stakes race, which is worth $500,000 for 3-year-old fillies. Olivia Twist has won three of six career starts and is coming off a third-place performance in the Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

"There are so many ups and downs in the sport and it can be tough," Coleman said. "But we're hopeful for a great weekend and we're grateful for every day for the great moments these horses give us and for the team that we have."