Aspenite went into the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile S. a maiden and came out a stakes winner. The colt, a $375,000 Keeneland September purchase for Winchell Thoroughbreds, broke with running on his mind and went straight to the front, but had company through the :22.59 first quarter. He got a little breather from the crowd prior to setting the :45.25 half, all the while holding firm to his rail spot. Kicking clear in the lane, Aspenite swapped to his wrong lead for much of the stretch but wasn't for catching and finished 3 1/4 lengths clear of Tough Little Nut, who had closed from several lengths back.

Second just 10 days ago by a half-length when caught late going six furlongs over this course, Aspenite's only other previous start resulted in a fourth in an off-the-turf maiden Aug. 5 at Saratoga.

“He was nominated [to the stakes] because of the possibility [of running back after the earlier Kentucky Downs start],” explained winning trainer Steve Asmussen. “He's a horse with a nice level of ability. Not exactly surprised he got a little lost [when he had a clear lead] the first time here. He sees everything. It's just kind of how he is. But he benefitted from the experience and cashed in on a very good day.”

Bred by Glen Hill Farm in Kentucky, Aspenite is out of a half-sister to MGSW & MGISP Keertana (Johar), MGSW & GISP Snow Top Mountain (Najran), and GSW Diversy Harbor (Curlin). Aspening has a yearling colt by Medaglia d'Oro, who is entered Wednesday as hip 437 in the Keeneland September sale, and an Apr. 3 colt by War of Will. She was bred back to War Front. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

#2 ASPENITE ($15.06) goes wire-to-wire in the $500,000 @KYDownsRacing Juvenile Mile!

The colt by @WinStarFarm's Constitution was ridden by @cristiantorr64 for trainer Steve Asmussen and Winchell Thoroughbreds. Congratulations to the connections! pic.twitter.com/jdJxBtfSHT

— TVG (@TVG) September 10, 2023

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