Steve Asmussen, who won the Debutante Stakes (gr. III) three consecutive years from 2005-07 and four times overall, has another chance this year with Heiligbrodt Racing Stable’s homebred Tristanme, who broke her maiden last out at Woodbine.
Tristanme will make her dirt debut in the $100,000 Debutante, a six-furlong sprint for 2-year-old fillies June 26 at Churchill Downs. A field of seven was entered.
A Florida-bred daughter of Bwana Charlie—Forever Full, by Full Out, Tristanme failed in two attempts at Keeneland this spring before scoring by a length going 4 1/2 furlongs June 5 on the Woodbine Polytrack. Shaun Bridgmohan, a two-time winner of the Debutante, has the mount.
Heiligbrodt, Asmussen, and Bridgmohan all teamed up to win the Debutante in 2006 with Richwoman and again the following year with Rated Fiesty. Asmussen also won in 2001 with Cashier’s Dream and in 2005 with Effectual.
The 120-pound high weight is William Dorminy’s Internet Cafe, an allowance winner at Churchill May 31 for trainer John Hancock. The daughter of Freefourinternet won that five-furlong contest by a nose, 10 days after breaking her maiden by six lengths over the same track. This time, she will break from the outside post with Oriani Rossi in the irons.
Dorminy and Hancock will also saddle Bach Hamilton, a Cherokee Run filly who broke her maiden in her fourth try May 30 in a $50,000 claimer.
Craig Singer’s homebred Salty Strike was flawless in her racing debut May 14 at Churchill, going wire-to-wire and drawing off by 4 1/4 lengths to win going away. Calvin Borel will ride for Ken McPeek, who tries for his first Debutante victory.
Also a winner in her only start was Eldon Farm Equine's Just Louise, who scored by 3 1/4 lengths going five furlongs May 28. Robby Albarado, seeking his third Debutante victory, was aboard for the maiden score and will ride for Dale Romans.
$100,000 Debutante (gr. III, Race 10, 5:29 p.m.), 2YO Fillies, 6 Furlongs (Dirt)
PP. Horse, Jockey, Weight, Trainer
1. Salty Strike (KY), C H Borel, 118, K G McPeek
2. Bach Hamilton (KY), C Torres, 116, J A Hancock
3. Tater Taunter (KY), C S Nakatani, 118, A Crupper
4. Big Sweets (TX), A O Solis, 118, D Roberson
5. Tristanme (FL), S Bridgmohan, 118, S M Asmussen
6. Just Louise (KY), R Albarado, 118, D L Romans
7. Internet Cafe (FL), O Rossi, 120, J A Hancock