Tag: Steve Asmussen

Friday’s Insights: Promising Wesley Ward Juveniles on Display at Keeneland

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency

1st-KEE, $60K, Msw, 2yo, 5 1/2fT, post time: 1:05 p.m. ET

NAPA SPIRIT (IRE) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) sports a flashy worktab for trainer Wesley Ward, including a trio of bullets over the Palm Meadows turf, for this debut run. Agent Ben McElroy paid £420,000 on behalf of Stonestreet Stables for the bay at last year's GOFSEP Yearling sale. Joel Rosario has the call on the even-money morning-line favorite, who hails from the extended female family of G1 Golden Jubilee S. winner Malhub (Kingmambo). Ward and Stonestreet were represented by fellow European import and 'TDN Rising Star' Ruthin (GB) (Ribchester {Ire}) on Thursday's program. TJCIS PPs

2nd-KEE, $60K, Msw, 2yo, 4 1/2f, post time: 1:39 p.m. ET

HEADLINE REPORT (Gormley), a $550,000 OBS March bullet breezer (:9 4/5), debuts for Breeze Easy LLC and Wesley Ward. The $160,000 Fasig-Tipton Select yearling pinhook by Eddie Woods's Quarter Pole Enterprises is out of the Tale of the Cat mare Green Eyed Cat and is a grandson of two-time Grade I winner Critical Eye (Dynaformer). Freshman sire Gormley's first yearlings in 2020, led by a $270,000 colt, averaged $37,544 (59 sold), according to TDN Sales Results by Stallion. “He had a fabulous breeze,” Woods said of the half-brother to SW Little Kansas (El Kingdom). “He's a magnificent-looking horse. It's good money for a first-season stallion. He did everything right and was real easy on the eyes, hence everyone liked him.” TJCIS PPs

8th-KEE, $79K, Msw, 3yo, 6 1/2f, post time: 4:57 p.m.

A deep-looking group of 3-year-olds line up here, including SUPPRESSOR (Munnings), a full-brother to MGISW I'm a Chatterbox. The chestnut is owned by Fletcher and Carolyn Gray and William Harrigan and trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen. He RNA'd for $125,000 as KEESEP yearling.

Godolphin homebred Casual Affair (Into Mischief), a son of champion Ashado trained by Brendan Walsh; and $475,000 KEESEP yearling Never Explain (Street Sense), owned by Courtlandt Farms and trained by Shug McGaughey, also make their debuts. TJCIS PPs

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Back From Overseas, Cowan Headlines Saturday’s Opening Night William Walker At Churchill

Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt, Madaket Stables and Spendthrift Farm's Cowan, runner-up in last fall's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (Grade 2), tops a field of ten 3-year-olds and two also-eligibles entered in Saturday's sixth running of the $125,000 William Walker (Listed).

The William Walker will highlight Saturday's Opening Night Presented by Budweiser 10-race program to kick off the 38-day Spring Meet that runs through June 26.

The William Walker, scheduled to be run over the Matt Winn Turf Course at 5 ½ furlongs for the first time, will go as the evening's ninth race with a 10:11 p.m. post time (all times Eastern). First post time is 6 o'clock. The temporary rail on the turf course will be in Lane 3, 22 feet from the inside hedge for racing Saturday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The rail will be taken down for racing on Oaks and Derby Days.

Trained by Steve Asmussen, Cowan returns to the races four weeks after finishing 10th against older horses beaten only 4 ¾ lengths in the Al Quoz Sprint (G1) in Dubai. Luis Saez, who was aboard in Dubai, has the call Saturday night and will exit post eight.

Wesley Ward, who sent out the most recent winner of the William Walker in 2019 with the filly Jo Jo Air, will be represented by two runners: Breeze Easy's Roderick and Silverton Hill's Next.

Roderick, who will be ridden by Drayden Van Dyke and exit post one, returns to the grass for the first time since finishing fifth in the Indian Summer last fall at Keeneland.

Next, who will be ridden by John Velazquez from post two, won his only start on the grass with that coming at Kentucky Downs in a maiden race. Saturday will mark his first start since chasing champion Essential Quality in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) in November.

The field for the William Walker, with riders from the inside, is: Roderick (Van Dyke), Next (Velazquez), Field Day (Tyler Gaffalione), Kasim (Gerardo Corrales), Unitedandresolute (Florent Geroux), Rockstar Ro (Corey Lanerie), Bodenheimer (Brian Hernandez Jr.), Cowan (Saez), Cees Get Degrees (Colby Hernandez) and Lookin for Loki (Mitchell Murrill). Also-eligibles: Into the Sunrise (Velazquez) and Charles Chrome (Julien Leparoux). All starters will carry 118 pounds.

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‘We’ve Always Loved His Talent’: Silver State Turning To Gold For Asmussen

Two of the best horses developed by Steve Asmussen for Winchell Thoroughbreds came to the Hall of Fame trainer on the advice of David Lambert. Silver State hasn't reached championship status yet, but the 4-year-old son of Hard Spun continued his climb toward the top of the country's older two-turn division with a half-length victory in the $1 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) last Saturday at Oaklawn under Ricardo Santana Jr.

The victory was the fifth consecutive for Silver State, who became the first horse to win the Oaklawn Handicap – Oaklawn's biggest prize for older two-turn runners – $150,000 Fifth Season Stakes at 1 mile and the $500,000 Essex Handicap at 1 1/16 miles. The latter two races, Jan. 23 and March 13, respectively, were major local steppingstones to the 1 1/8-mile Oaklawn Handicap.

Asmussen said on the recommendation of Lambert, a noted equine physiologist, Winchell Thoroughbreds (Ron and Joan Winchell) purchased Silver State for $450,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sales. Lambert, founder and president of Equine Analysis Systems in Midway, Ky., also steered the Winchells toward privately purchasing half-interest in Gun Runner and retaining homebred Untapable to race. Both became Eclipse Award winners.

Now, silver is turning to gold for the Winchells, who campaign Silver State with prominent Arkansas breeder/owner Willis Horton.

“It's a horse the Hortons and Winchells purchased on Dr. Lambert's advice, that has continued to develop and get better,” Asmussen said. “We've always loved his talent level.”

Silver State earned a preliminary Beyer Speed Figure of 101, equaling a career high, for his Oaklawn Handicap victory. After falling off the Kentucky Derby trail following a seventh-place finish in the $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2) in March 2020 at Fair Grounds, Silver State returned with two sharp allowance victories last fall in Kentucky before emerging as Oaklawn's top older two-turn runner this year. His Beyer Speed Figures, a numerical representation of performance, have ranged from 97 to 101, during the winning streak. Asmussen calls Silver State, “a gorgeous animal” who needed time to develop because he's “massive in size.”

“This race is significant enough,” Asmussen said. “He'll get the future we were hoping for, and this proves it.”

Asmussen said next-race plans are pending for Silver State, who won for the sixth time in 10 lifetime starts. Silver State ($1,230,094) became a millionaire after collecting the $600,000 winning check.

It was the first Oaklawn Handicap victory for Asmussen and the Winchells and the second for Horton, who also won the race in 2014 with champion Will Take Charge. Horton turned 81 last Saturday.

“The Hortons owning half this horse with the Winchells and how important Oaklawn is to them, the Hortons are to Oaklawn, what a great birthday present for him today,” Asmussen said.

The Oaklawn Handicap was Asmussen's record 95th Oaklawn stakes victory. Asmussen also won the $600,000 Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) for older fillies and mares in 2015 with Untapable and the $500,000 Razorback Handicap (G3) for older horses in 2017 with Gun Runner. Untapable won an Eclipse Award as the country's champion 3-year-old filly of 2014. Gun Runner captured two Eclipse Awards (Horse of the Year and older dirt male) in 2017.

Asmussen has a meet-high 49 victories this year as he seeks his record-tying 11th Oaklawn training title. The Oaklawn Handicap pushed his purse earnings at the meet to more than $5 million. He enters the final eight racing days at $5,072,636 and with a chance to break his single-season Oaklawn record ($5,644,609), set in 2019.

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Midnight Bourbon Posts Swift Five-Furlong Breeze, Gives Connections A Scare When Briefly Loose In Barn Area

On a brisk Monday morning in Louisville, Winchell Thorougbreds' multiple graded stakes-placed colt Midnight Bourbon continued his serious preparation for the $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) with a swift five furlong move in :59.80, the fastest of 13 horses at the distance.

Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, Midnight Bourbon worked in company with recent Turfway Park maiden winner Bajan Rum through fractions of :12.40, :24, :35.60. The TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) runner-up galloped out six furlongs in 1:12.80 and completed seven furlongs in 1:26, according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols.

Midnight Bourbon then managed to give his connections a bit of a scare when he got away from his hotwalker near the barn area, and enjoyed a brief jaunt around the bathing area between barns. He was quickly apprehended by another hotwalker, and appeared to escape unharmed. The incident was captured on camera by WHAS11's Kent Spencer.


Tuesday will be the first day on the track for Blue Grass (G2) runner-up Highly Motivated, who arrived at trainer Chad Brown's Barn 25 at 8 a.m. (all times Eastern) from Keeneland. Brown is scheduled to be at Churchill Downs Tuesday.

BOURBONIC, DYNAMIC ONE, KNOWN AGENDA, SAINTHOOD – Two-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Todd Pletcher sent his four hopefuls for the Run for the Roses out for 1 3/8-mile gallops Monday morning.

Pletcher utilized the 7:30-7:45 training window for Derby and Kentucky Oaks candidates to send out St. Elias Stable's Known Agenda with Hector Ramos aboard, Repole Stable, Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable's Dynamic One with Carlos Perez Quevedo aboard and WinStar Farm and CHC Inc.'s Sainthood with Amelia Green aboard.

Calumet Farm's Bourbonic galloped after 9 o'clock with Ramos aboard.

Pletcher said Monday morning that no rider has been confirmed for Sainthood, who comes into Derby 147 off a runner-up finish in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park March 27.

CADDO RIVER, ESSENTIAL QUALITY, MANDALOUN – Godolphin's Kentucky Derby favorite Essential Quality and Juddmonte Farm's Mandaloun jogged at 6:20 a.m. Monday at Churchill Downs for trainer Brad Cox while stablemate Caddo River galloped at 5:15 a.m.

“(Essential Quality and Mandaloun) both came out of their Saturday works in good shape,” trainer Brad Cox said. “We're gearing up. It's getting exciting around the barn and we're ready for the Derby.”

Shortleaf Stable's Arkansas Derby (G1) runner-up Caddo River plans to run in the Kentucky Derby remain tentative.

HELIUM, SOUP AND SANDWICH – D J Stable's Tampa Bay Derby (G2) winner Helium along with Live Oak Plantation's Florida Derby (G1) Soup and Sandwich had a scheduled walk day at trainer Mark Casse's Barn 36 at Churchill Downs.

“We had an easy day around the barn today,” Casse's assistant David Carroll said.

Both horses are scheduled to work this weekend.

HIGHLY MOTIVATED – Klaravich Stables' homebred Highly Motivated, runner-up in the Blue Grass Stakes (G2) in his most recent start April 3, arrived at Churchill Downs at 8 o'clock Monday morning from Keeneland.

The Chad Brown trainee had worked a half-mile in :47.20 Sunday morning that was the best of 27 at the distance.

KEEPMEINMIND – Spendthrift Farm, Cypress Creek and Arnold Bennewith's Keepmeinmind jogged two miles early Monday morning under exercise rider Enrique Benitez for trainer Robertino Diodoro.

Winner of the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) here last fall, Keepmeinmind had worked five furlongs in 1:00.60 under Benitez at Keeneland on Saturday and arrived at Churchill Downs on Sunday.

He currently sits No. 22 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.

KING FURY – Fern Circle Stables and Three Chimneys Farm's King Fury galloped 1 ½ miles at 5:30 under exercise rider Danny Ramsey for trainer Kenny McPeek.

He needs one defection to make the field of 20 for the first Saturday in May.

MIDNIGHT BOURBON, SUPER STOCK – Winchell Thoroughbreds' multiple graded stakes placed-colt Midnight Bourbon worked five furlongs in :59.80 in company with stablemate Bajan Rum (five furlongs, 1:00.80).

“We're obviously very excited about who Midnight Bourbon is,” Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen said. “Physically, he's an absolutely beautiful horse. Going over the track now, he's as good as he's ever been. He's always had a big frame, now there's just more of him in the right spots.”

Erv Woolsey and Keith Asmussen's upset Arkansas Derby (G1) hero Super Stock had a scheduled walk day.

O BESOS – Barrett Bernard, Tagg Team Racing and West Point Thoroughbreds' Louisiana Derby (G2) third-place finisher O Besos jogged about one mile under Margarito Fierro at 6:30 a.m. Monday at Churchill Downs.

O Besos is scheduled to work Wednesday.

STARRININMYDREAMS – Stewart Racing and WinStar Farm's third-place Lexington Stakes (G3) finisher Starrininmydreams galloped about 1 ½ miles at 6:30 a.m. under exercise rider Emerson Chavez.

Starrininmydreams sits No. 23 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.

SHAPING UP: THE KENTUCKY DERBY – Likely starters in the 147th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade 1) for 3-year-olds at 1 1/4 miles on Saturday, May 1 in order of preference (with possible jockey and trainer): Essential Quality (Luis Saez, Brad Cox); Hot Rod Charlie (Flavien Prat, Doug O'Neill); Super Stock (Ricardo Santana Jr., Steve Asmussen); Like the King (Drayden Van Dyke, Wesley Ward); Known Agenda (Irad Ortiz, Todd Pletcher); Rock Your World (Joel Rosario, John Sadler); Bourbonic (Kendrick Carmouche, Todd Pletcher); Medina Spirit (John Velazquez, Bob Baffert); Midnight Bourbon (Mike Smith, Steve Asmussen); Mandaloun (Florent Geroux, Brad Cox); Highly Motivated (Javier Castellano, Chad Brown); Helium (Julien Leparoux, Mark Casse); Soup and Sandwich (Tyler Gaffalione, Mark Casse); Dynamic One (Jose Ortiz, Todd Pletcher); Sainthood (TBA, Todd Pletcher); Hidden Stash (Rafael Bejarano, Vicki Oliver); O Besos (Marcelino Pedroza, Greg Foley); Get Her Number (TBA, Peter Miller);

Possible starters within the Top 20 on the preference list: Caddo River (TBA, Brad Cox); Dream Shake (TBA, Peter Eurton)

Next up in order of preference: King Fury (Brian Hernandez Jr.); Keepmeinmind (David Cohen, Robertino Diodoro); Starrininmydreams (TBA, Dallas Stewart).

The post Midnight Bourbon Posts Swift Five-Furlong Breeze, Gives Connections A Scare When Briefly Loose In Barn Area appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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