Underdog No More: Irap Favorite for Indiana Derby
Irap heads into the July 15 $500,000 Indiana Derby (G3) at Indiana Grand Race Course as the 8-5 morning-line favorite in the 11-horse field.
Steve Asmussen
News, Articles, Videos and other content about Steve Asmussen
Connections of Untrapped Confident in his Talents
Trainer Steve Asmussen and owner Mike Langford are waiting for their 3-year-old colt Untrapped to come up with a signature victory. The $500,000 Indiana Derby (G2) July 15 would be an excellent time.
Iron Fist Keeps Rolling in Cornhusker
After many close placings in graded stakes races, Whispering Oaks Farm's Iron Fist finally notched his first graded stakes win in the $300,000 Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap (G3) at Prairie Meadows July 8.
Hence Closes From Last to Win Iowa Derby
Off the Triple Crown trail and with a clean trip, Calumet Farm's homebred Hence once again found his winning stride July 7 in the $250,000 Iowa Derby (G3) at Prairie Meadows.
Copper Bullet Out to Build Reputation in Bashford Manor
Just how far ahead of the curve Copper Bullet is will get a litmus test June 30 when the bay colt breaks from post 5 for the $100,000 Bashford Manor Stakes (G3) on the closing night of the Churchill Downs spring/summer meeting.
Untrapped Aims for First Stakes win in Ohio Derby
In his first start since a 12th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1), Untrapped will try to secure his first stakes win in the Ohio Derby (G3) June 24 at JACK Thistledown.
Asmussen Relishes Gun Runner's Foster Romp
Trainer Steve Asmussen was still beaming the morning of June 18 following Gun Runner's stellar seven-length victory in Saturday night's $500,000 Stephen Foster Handicap (G1) at Churchill Downs.
Gun Runner Powers to Easy Stephen Foster Win
In his first start since finishing second in the March 25 Dubai World Cup (G1), Winchell Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys Farm's Gun Runner drew off in the stretch for an easy victory in the Stephen Foster Handicap (G1) June 17 at Churchill Downs.
Gun Runner Eyes Triumphant Homecoming in Stephen Foster
Gun Runner is set to make his first start since finishing second to champion Arrogate in the March 25 Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1), and looms as the overwhelming favorite in the $500,000 Stephen Foster Handicap (G1).
Gun Runner Solid in Final Stephen Foster Move
Winchell Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys' Gun Runner put in a half-mile work June 12 in his final preparation for the June 17 Stephen Foster Handicap (G1) at Churchill Downs.
Another Classic, Another Shot for Lookin At Lee
Lookin At Lee will not be carrying a lunch pail during the Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets (G1) June 10 at Belmont Park, but trainer Steve Asmussen knows his horse will bring that mental approach to the 1 1/2-mile classic.
Lookin At Lee Logs Final Belmont Breeze
Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) runner-up Lookin At Lee breezed four furlongs in :48.33 under the early morning sunshine on the Belmont Park main track June 4 in preparation for the June 10 Belmont Stakes (G1).
Gun Runner Breezes for Stephen Foster
Winchell Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys Farm's grade 1 winner Gun Runner breezed five furlongs in :59 4/5 May 29 at Churchill Downs in preparation for a probable start in the $500,000 Stephen Foster Handicap (G1) June 17.
Asmussen Earns $50,000 Preakness Weekend Bonus
Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen finished with 38 points to earn a $50,000 bonus from a total pool of $100,000 offered to trainers who ran a minimum of five horses in the 15 stakes races over Preakness Stakes (G1) weekend at Pimlico Race Course.
Vertical Oak Gets Her Way in Miss Preakness Stakes
J. Kirk and Judy Robison's Vertical Oak made the most of out of her setup at Pimlico Race Course Friday when she overtook My Miss Chiff a furlong out and kicked clear by 3 3/4-lengths in the six-furlong Miss Preakness Stakes.
Terra Promessa Cruises to Allaire DuPont Victory
Stonestreet Stables' homebred Terra Promessa showed May 19 that she's not just a horse for the course at Oaklawn Park.
Lookin At Lee, Hence in Final Preakness Moves
Lookin At Lee, the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) runner-up, and stablemate Hence turned in their final works for the Preakness Stakes (G1) the morning of May 15 at Churchill Downs.
Hence Likely to Join Lookin at Lee in Preakness
Trainer Steve Asmussen said Hence may join Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands runner-up Lookin at Lee in the May 20 Preakness Stakes (G1).
'Wide-Open' Derby Field Has Its Share of Class
The term "wide-open" has been tossed about the Churchill Downs backstretch like a baseball of late whenever the connections of Kentucky Derby aspirants are asked about the complexion of this year's Run for the Roses.
Plenty of Questions in One-Turn Pat Day Mile
Local Hero and Uncontested, one-time Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) hopefuls, face a new challenge cutting back to one-turn for the May 6 Pat Day Mile Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs.
Trainers’ Dinner Notes and Quotes
The annual Kentucky Derby Trainer's Dinner gives trainers a chance to laugh a little and blow off some steam. Trainer Mike Maker was first up May 2 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Louisville, and he stole the show.
Gun Runner to Return in Stephen Foster Handicap
Grade 1 winner Gun Runner has been steadily training since returning from a runner-up finish in the Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) and is targeting the June 17 Stephen Foster Handicap (G1) at Churchill Downs, Asmussen said May 1.
Asmussen Trio Turn in Final Pre-Derby Moves
Before sending Hence to the track during the 8:30 a.m. training slot Monday, trainer Steve Asmussen warned that the son of Street Boss would likely clock in at a decidedly swifter rate than stablemates Lookin At Lee and Untrapped.
McCraken Finishes Strong in Five-Furlong Move
Whether McCraken becomes the latest Derby winner to come out of Churchill's Barn 26 remains to be seen, but the bay colt put in five-furlong drill in 1:00 3/5 April 24 that was nearly as buzz worthy as Street Sense's final move before his triumph.
Hence, J Boys Echo Breeze at Churchill
Calumet Farm's Sunland Derby (G3) winner Hence and Albaugh Family Stable's Gotham Stakes (G3) winner J Boys Echo worked April 17 at Churchill Downs in preparation for the May 6 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands.
Ever So Clever Rallies to First Stakes Win in Fantasy
Behind a sustained late run through the far turn that saw her split horses entering the stretch, Clearview Stable’s Ever So Clever surged past rivals to register an upset victory April 14 in the $400,000 Fantasy Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park.
Stellar Wind Blows Into Oaklawn Park for Apple Blossom
Stellar Wind, who defeated Beholder twice last year after earning a divisional championship in 2015, makes her 2017 debut in Oaklawn Park's Apple Blossom Handicap (G1).
Langford Believes Untrapped his Most Talented Horse
Mike Langford has campaigned two millionaires, but it's a horse with $256,800 in earnings under the care of Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen that the Jonesboro, Ark., owner calls his most talented runner to date.
Hence Springs Upset in Sunland Derby
Yet again an upset was sprung at Sunland Park, with 50 Road to the Kentucky Derby points going to Calumet Farm's homebred 10-1 longshot Hence, as he hit the wire 3 3/4 lengths ahead of previously unbeaten Conquest Mo Money.
Gun Runner Brings Consistent Class to World Cup Stage
No one questions whether Gun Runner will show up in the Dubai World Cup. What he'll answer at Meydan Racecourse is whether his best is good enough to challenge the favorite Arrogate, who is so far without peer.
Terra Promessa Puts Oaklawn Form on Line in Azeri
Unbeaten in five starts at the Arkansas track, Terra Promessa puts her status as the house horse on the line against six challengers in the $350,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) going 1 1/16 miles March 18.
Rebel Prospects Turn in Oaklawn Works
It was a busy morning March 10 at Oaklawn Park for 3-year-olds pointing toward the $900,000 Rebel Stakes (G2), with top local prospects Petrov, Silver Dust, and Uncontested all posting impressive works.
Grade 1 Winner Gun Runner Likely Dubai Bound
After turning in his first workout since capturing the Feb. 20 Razorback Handicap (G3) in his seasonal bow, Winchell Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys Farm's Gun Runner let his connections know he is willing to be Dubai bound.
Girvin, Farrell Exit Fair Grounds Wins Well
Both Brad Grady's Girvin and Coffeepot Stables' Farrell exited their Feb. 25 grade 2 victories well, according to their respective connections.
Gun Runner Rolls to Razorback Handicap Victory
Finally free from what seemed like interminable quarantine in Louisiana, Gun Runner put on an impressive display in his first start of the season, leading every step of the way for a 5 3/4-length victory in the $500,000 Razorback Handicap (G3).
Terra Promessa Goes Gate to Wire in Bayakoa
Stonestreet Stables' homebred Terra Promessa made easy work of her seven rivals, taking control around the first turn and never looking back in the $150,000 Bayakoa Stakes (G3) Feb. 18 at Oaklawn Park.
Rain Could Threaten Gun Runner's Razorback Hopes
Where a equine herpesvirus-1 outbreak at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots disrupted initial plans for Gun Runner's 2017 debut, a looming threat from Mother Nature could toss yet another wrench into his connections' best-laid hopes.
Pippin Trio Back in Bayakoa
Stonestreet Stables' Terra Promessa, winner of Oaklawn's Jan. 14 Pippin Stakes, figures to dictate the tempo again in the Feb. 18 Bayakoa Stakes (G3) in Hot Springs.
Hopes Abound in Martha Washington
Oaklawn Park's road to the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) begins Feb. 11 with the one-mile Martha Washington Stakes.
NY Proposes Sweeping Equine Drug, Record Rules
New York racing regulators Jan. 20 released a set of proposed sweeping equine drug and recordkeeping rules that arose from the state's investigation into allegations made by PETA against trainer Steve Asmussen in 2013.
Untapped Takes First Steps Toward Filling Big Shoes
Should Untapped boast half the talent of her sibling, she should be in good stead when she makes her stakes debut Jan. 21 in the Silverbulletday at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
With Pegasus Still in the Air, Gun Runner Works at FG
His status for the $12 million Pegasus World Cup (G1) may be up in the air due to the quarantine at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, but grade 1 winner Gun Runner continues to get cranked for whatever is on the horizon.
Back to Dirt for Front Pocket Money
In his previous start on dirt, Front Pocket Money won the six-furlong Jersey Shore Stakes (gr. III) July 23 at Monmouth Park and he will return to that surface in the Nov. 21 Steel Valley Sprint Stakes.
Gun Runner Works, Likely in Dirt Mile
Gun Runner wore a saddle towel with "Dirt Mile" sewn into the side during his easy half-mile breeze Oct. 30 at Santa Anita Park, and that's where he's almost surely headed for his Breeders' Cup spot.
Creator Retired, to Stand in Japan
Creator, the 3-year-old colt by Tapit who won the 2016 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) and Arkansas Derby (gr. I), has been sold by WinStar Farm and Bobby Flay to the Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association.
Florida-Based Sire Kantharos to Hill 'n' Dale
Stonestreet announced Sept. 8 that Florida sire Kantharos will move to Kentucky to stand at Hill 'n' Dale Farms near Lexington.
Asmussen, Lanerie Take Ellis Park Titles
New Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, jockey Corey Lanerie and owner Chester Thomas’ Allied Racing came away as the 2016 Ellis Park meet champions.
Sweet Loretta Aims for Grade I in Spinaway
After rolling to victories in her first two starts, Sweet Loretta will try for a top-level score in the $350,000 Spinaway Stakes (gr. I) Sept. 3 at Saratoga Race Course.
KY Downs to Open With Loaded All-Turf Card
Kentucky Downs will begin its lucrative five-day, all-turf meet Sept. 3 with four stakes—two of them for 2-year-olds at seven furlongs—worth a total of $1.4 million. The 10-race card saw 136 horses make the overnight.
Libby's Tail Heads Redrawn Adirondack
Libby's Tail, a 2-year-old daughter of Tiz Wonderful who came from seventh to win first time out at Belmont Park going 5 1/2 furlongs July 2, is the 5-2 morning line favorite for the redrawn Adirondack Stakes (gr. II) Aug. 20.
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