Hall of Fame horseman Steve Asmussen surpassed South Louisville native Dale Romans as the all-time leading trainer in Churchill Downs history when 4-year-old filly Drop Dead Gorgeous cruised to an 8 1/2-length victory in Friday's opener for win No. 738 beneath the historic Twin Spires.
“We've had our eye on this target for a long time,” Asmussen said. “If anyone knows American horse racing, they know what Churchill Downs means to the sport. This is a very significant honor. I know the people who have been in this spot before, and been here consistently, and for us to have won the most races is a very proud accomplishment.”
Romans was the record-holder since Nov. 12, 2017 when he surpassed Hall of Famer Bill Mott, who was Churchill Downs' all-time leader for more than 31 years.
“It means so much to me,” Asmussen said. “I don't know of anyone who's fondest and earliest memories of horse racing isn't the Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs. I grew up in South Texas and, as a kid, you tried to keep track of the national racing scene. We've spent a lot of time and had a tremendous amount of support to even put us in this position we are in today.
Commemorating Steve Asmussen becoming all-time leading trainer at Churchill Downs (Coady Photography)
“Horses do things for you that you aren't capable of doing on your own. In sports, you see that certain elevation of different individuals. In our sport, the horse gives the individual those elevations. Valid Expectations raised me to a level where I could compete in graded stakes races on a national level. I made numerous mistakes with him but his attitude and ability overcame it.”
Asmussen is rapidly closing on another significant career milestone. At the start of Saturday, Asmussen had 8,869 career wins, which ranked second and was 576 victories behind all-time North American win-leader Dale Baird's 9,445.
“If they don't want me to care, they need to quit keeping track,” Asmussen joked.
If Asmussen follows his trends from the last three years, he could surpass Baird's record by next Spring.
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