Steve Asmussen

Southwest Preview: The Champ Is Here

After multiple weeks’ worth of weather delays, the second of four Oaklawn Park-based Kentucky Derby prep races will finally go off this Saturday with the Southwest Stakes (G3). A field of 7 sophomores will take…

Race Previews

Houston Ladies Classic Preview: Lady Apple Returns For Title Defense

HOUSTON, TX – Trainer Steve Asmussen’s Lady Apple returns to defend her title in Sunday’s $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic Stakes (G3) at Sam Houston. The Houston Ladies Classic is a 1 1/16-mile dirt route restricted to fillies and mares ages 4 and up. This year’s edition is the eighth event on… Read More

Race Recaps

Silver State Slips By In Fifth Season

HOT SPRINGS, AR – Winchell Thoroughbreds and Willis Horton Racing’s Silver State slipped by a game Hunka Burning Love in the late stages to win Saturday’s $150,000 Fifth Season Stakes at Oaklawn Park. Silver State broke a bit slowly from post 4 under Ricardo Santana Jr. as the 4/5 favorite but soon settled… Read More

Kentucky Derby

Smarty Jones Preview: Oaklawn Park is BACK!

HOT SPRINGS, AR – After seeing through one of the most unique and historic meets of all time last year, Oaklawn Park is back for another exciting season when the $150,000 Smarty Jones Stakes headlines the 2021 Opening Day Friday. A strong field of seven will contest the event, which… Read More

Race Previews

Malibu Preview: Santa Anita Showdown

Saturday’s opening day of the Santa Anita Park meet includes the season’s last major races for 3-year-olds, highlighted by the $300,000 Runhappy Malibu Stakes (G1). The Malibu will be one of six stakes events on the card, which includes other great races such as the San Antonio Stakes (G2), the… Read More

Race Recaps

Joy’s Rocket Gives Asmussen 100th Career Fair Grounds Stakes Win in Letellier

NEW ORLEANS, LA – A journey that began in November 1995 when Valid Expectations won the Old Hickory reached its zenith Saturday at Fair Grounds when trainer Steve Asmussen set a remarkable milestone, winning his 100th career stakes at the local oval when Team Hanley and Parkland Thoroughbreds’ Joy’s Rocket beat Mariah’s… Read More

Race Recaps

Bankit puts in money effort to win Alex M. Robb

OZONE PARK, NY – Bankit posted a slew of close efforts in the 17 months since his previous win. But Saturday, the 4-year-old son of Central Banker left no doubt, overtaking Mr. Buff at the top of the stretch and cruising to a 4 3/4-length victory in the $100,000 Alex M.… Read More

Kentucky Derby

Cowan Among 4 Breeders’ Cup Runners Nominated to Remington Springboard Mile

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen’s Cowan is among the 4 runners exiting a Breeders’ Cup World Championships race who are nominated to the $200,000 Springboard Mile Stakes, scheduled for December 18 at Remington Park. The Springboard Mile, which received 35 total nominations at time of close,… Read More

Race Recaps

Nitrous Takes Thanksgiving Classic

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Winchell Thoroughbreds homebred Nitrous shot to the lead near the 1/8 pole and drew off late to take Thursday’s $125,000 Thanksgiving Classic Stakes at Fair Grounds. Nitrous broke from post 2 under Adam Beschizza at 3/1 odds and settled toward the rear of the scratch-shortened six-horse field as… Read More

Race Recaps

Finite Proves Superior in Chilukki

LOUISVILLE, KY – Winchell Thoroughbreds homebred Finite proved to be the superior runner that her 6/5 favoritism seemed to indicate in Saturday’s $100,000 Chilukki Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs. Finite and Ricardo Santana Jr. exited post 2 and settled well off the pace that Risky Mandate and Sanenus set through opening… Read More