Asmussen Wins Three at Churchill Wednesday

Trainer Steve Asmussen notched his third winner on Wednesday's Churchill Downs card when Full Mandate, with Donnie Meche aboard, seized the lead near the eighth pole and powered to a one-length victory over longshot Irish Legacy in the featured $43,400 allowance for 3-year-olds and up.

The well-bred son of A.P. Indy covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.89 and paid $6.20, $4.40 and $3.00. Irish Legacy, a 14-1 outsider with Jon Court up, had a brief lead in the upper stretch before tiring late and paid $11.00 and $8.00. Monarchoftheglen, with Robby Albarado aboard, finished a length back in third and paid $4.40.

Owned by Fog City Stable & Padua Stable, Full Mandate pocketed $27,160 to increase his lifetime earnings to $64,660. The win was his second in four lifetime starts after breaking his maiden at Arlington in September.

The Fall Meet trainer's race tightened up considerably with Asmussen and Dale Romans catching leader Carl Nafzger with eight victories each. Besides Full Mandate, Asmussen won with Stylish Dancer ($20.80) in the first race and Sultry Sal ($5.40) in the third.

(Chart, Equibase)