Winchell Thoroughbreds' Epicenter (Not This Time) was in fine shape Sunday morning, a day after his emphatic victory in the GI Runhappy Travers S. at Saratoga.
“He's doing beautifully. He's very proud of himself,” trainer Steve Asmussen said. “The race went beautifully and it was everything we hoped for. We're very proud of his win and excited about who he is.”
The Travers was the first Grade I win for Epicenter, who was runner-up in the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Preakness S.
“We wanted it for him and for his fans,” said Asmussen. “We got so many congratulations and the respect for him–you enjoy that so much. To win the Travers here at Saratoga with the fans that are here is an extremely proud thing for us.”
Of Epicenter's possible route to the GI Breeders' Cup Classic, Asmussen said, “We'll discuss it. It all depends on how he's training. We're very confident to train him up to the Classic with how well he ran sharp in the Jim Dandy when fresh.”
Asmussen's Saturday at Saratoga also included runner-up finishes in the GI Forego S. with Jackie's Warrior (Maclean's Music) and GI H. Allen Jerkens Memorial S. with Gunite (Gun Runner).
“He came out of the race in excellent shape. Never defeated, just second-place,” Asmussen said, with a laugh, of Jackie's Warrior's first loss at Saratoga. “He is an unbelievable horse to be around. You have no control over how the other guy runs and Cody's Wish ran a phenomenal race.”
Jackie's Warrior is still on target for the Nov. 5 GI Breeders' Cup Sprint at Keeneland before retiring to stud at Spendthrift Farm.
As for Gunite, also owned by the Winchells, Asmussen said, “We're so proud of him,” said Asmussen. “He's such a tough horse. I don't know what's next, we still have to decide. All of our conversations last night were about Epicenter.”
Stonestreet Stables Clairiere (Curlin) exited her disappointing last-place effort in Saturday's GI Personal Ensign S. with a cut tongue, according to Asmussen.
“Clairiere had a significant cut on her tongue that we're going to doctor,” Asmussen said. “We'll get that healed up and resume training. I don't imagine [the cut] helped.”
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