After falling far behind early in his last two starts, Red Route One will race in blinkers for the first time in Saturday's $1.25 million Arkansas Derby (G1) at 1 1/8 miles.
Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen said he hopes the move will shake up the son of Gun Runner, who races for his breeder, Winchell Thoroughbreds (Ron and Joan Winchell). Red Route One trailed by double digits early in the $750,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) Jan. 28 and $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2) Feb. 25 before rallying to finish second in both races. Both 1 1/16-mile races were run over off tracks.
“This, expecting to be his last prep before the (Kentucky) Derby, we were pleased with his run in the Rebel,” Asmussen said Thursday morning. “But we need a little more. Hopefully, the blinkers will keep him engaged. Just watching the race, he was away fine and around the first turn. When they dropped down the backside, he just lost too much immediately. I'm hoping he doesn't give them that much with the addition of blinkers in the middle of the race.”
Asmussen said Red Route One began training in blinkers following the Rebel, where he was beaten one length by Confidence Game. Red Route One trailed by 19 ½ lengths after the opening quarter mile.
“He is very comfortable in them at this stage,” Asmussen said, referring to blinkers.
Red Route One, who is seeking his first career victory on dirt, has 33 points to rank 16th on the latest Kentucky Derby leaderboard released by Churchill Downs. The Kentucky Derby is limited to 20 starters.
Asmussen also entered Harlocap in the Arkansas Derby. After previously being with Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, Harlocap finished sixth in his first start for Asmussen, the $400,000 Risen Star Stakes (G2) at 1 1/8 miles Feb. 18 at Fair Grounds. Asmussen decided to run Harlocap in the Arkansas Derby, rather than the $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2) at 1 3/16 miles last Saturday at Fair Grounds.
“I just think this racetrack is more conducive to his natural style,” Asmussen said. “Hopefully, he's away cleanly. He has a high cruising speed and I think he'll stay on extremely well. He's a beautiful horse that has plenty of talent. Just trying to put him in a position where he can use it.”
Asmussen is seeking his record-tying fifth Arkansas Derby victory after winning the race in 2002 (Private Emblem), 2007 (Curlin), 2016 (Creator) and 2021 (Super Stock). Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher has five Arkansas Derby victories.
The post Blinkers On: Asmussen Hopes To Keep Red Route One ‘Engaged’ In Arkansas Derby appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
