Latest news with #SteveAsmussen
Yahoo
05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Stakes Runners Comport, Kingsolver Lead Ellis Park Juvenile And Debutante
Stakes Runners Comport, Kingsolver Lead Ellis Park Juvenile And Debutante originally appeared on Paulick Report. Joseph Sutton's precocious 2-year-old Comport, runner-up in the Bashford Manor Stakes (Listed) in late June, leads six horses entered in Sunday's 10th running of the $200,000 Ellis Park at seven furlongs, the Ellis Park Juvenile was carded as the sixth race on Sunday's blockbuster card that also includes the $300,000 Ellis Park Derby (Listed), $200,000 Groupie Doll (Listed), the $200,000 Audubon Oaks, the $200,000 R.A. "Cowboy" Jones, and the $200,000 Ellis Park Debutante. First post is 11:50 a.m. (all times Central) with the Ellis Park Juvenile field going to post at 2:12 p.m. in race 6. Comport, trained by Eddie Kenneally, was entered in last Saturday's Grade 2 Saratoga Special but scratched in favor of this spot. A son of Collected, Comport was a 2 ¼-length debut winner on June 1 at Churchill Downs. Jockey Tyler Gaffalione will have the call from post No. Ellis Park Juvenile field also includes two horses from Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen's barn: Winchell Thoroughbreds' Spice Runner and Ken Relmer's Papa Ken. Spice Runner, who won his debut at Churchill Downs, then finished fifth in the Bashford Manor, will be ridden by Keith Asmussen from post 5, while debut winner Papa Ken will have Brian Hernandez Jr. in the irons from post 1. The field for the Ellis Park Juvenile from the rail out (with jockey and trainer):Papa Ken (Brian Hernandez Jr., Steve Asmussen)Shake and Rattle (Jaime Torres, Keith Desormeaux)Street Player (Gabe Saez, Nolan Ramsey)Longstrider (Edgar Morales, Genaro Garcia)Spice Runner (Keith Asmussen, Steve Asmussen)Comport (Gaffalione, Kenneally) Schuylerville Stakes winner Kingsolver is set to return to stakes action Sunday at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming and face five rivals in the eighth running of the $200,000 Ellis Park Debutante, one of six stakes on the blockbuster 10-race at seven furlongs, the field of 2-year-old fillies will go to post at 1:16 p.m. (all times Central) in race 4. First post is 11:50 a.m. with other stakes including the $300,000 Ellis Park Derby (Listed), the $200,000 Groupie Doll (Listed), the $200,000 Audubon Oaks, the $200,000 R.A. "Cowboy" Jones, and the $200,000 Ellis Park Juvenile. Kingsolver, a daughter of Omaha Beach, broke her maiden in the July 4 Schuylerville for trainer Rodolphe Brisset and owners Storyteller Racing, Schroeck Racing, Open Gate Horse Ventures, Brian Cahoe, Scott Catlett, Dave Russel, Matthew Randsell, Michael Motley, and Joel Braun. Kingsolver will break from the rail in Sunday's race with Tyler Gaffalione in the Ellis Park Debutante field also includes Selective LLC's Churchill Downs maiden special weight winner Chopsticks, along with Dream Big Racing's Ellis Park debut winner Prowess. The complete field for the Ellis Park Debutante from the rail out (with jockey and trainer):Kingsolver (Gaffalione, Brisset)Mescat (Jann Hernandez, Marcelino Torres)Red Beretta (Evin Roman, Michel Douaihy)Chopsticks (Florent Geroux, Brad Cox)Prowess (Brian Hernandez Jr., Kenny McPeek)Boom Boom Bell (Gabe Saez, Harry Lynch) This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Aug 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Precocious' Obliteration In Good Order After Eye-Catching Sanford Blowout
'Precocious' Obliteration In Good Order After Eye-Catching Sanford Blowout originally appeared on Paulick Report. Leland Ackerley Racing's Obliteration impressed again when improving to 2-for-2 in Saturday's Sanford (G3), a six-furlong sprint for juveniles, during the July 4th Racing Festival at Saratoga Race Course. Advertisement Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, the Violence bay graduated by a widening 7 1/2 lengths sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs on June 12 at Churchill Downs, and he upped that margin to 10 1/2 lengths at the Spa in a final time of 1:10.65 – his Beyer Speed Figure jumping from 77 to 91. 'He looks like he came out of it good,' said Scott Blasi, assistant to the first time Sanford winning Asmussen. 'He's just a very talented colt, precocious, and hopefully he will continue to improve.' Obliteration broke very sharply from post 2 under Flavien Prat and led every step of the way through fractions of :22.74, :45.56, :57.56 on the fast dirt while turning back the pressure from local Tremont (L) runner-up Blinging It Back to win in dominant fashion. 'He's always been very forward. He proved that in his first start, and showed that was no fluke by coming back and running better than that,' said Blasi. 'He broke so sharply and made it a two-horse race before pulling away.' Advertisement Local graded options for juveniles include the 6 1/2-furlong $200,000 Saratoga Special (G2) on August 2, as well as the seven-furlong $300,000 Spendthrift Farm Hopeful (G1) on September 1. This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Obliteration Smashes Opposition In Sanford
Obliteration Smashes Opposition In Sanford originally appeared on Paulick Report. Leland Ackerley Racing's Obliteration was ultra-impressive when improving to 2-for-2 in Saturday's Grade 3, $175,000 Sanford, a six-furlong sprint for juveniles, during the July 4th Racing Festival at Saratoga Race Course. Advertisement Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, the Violence bay graduated by a widening 7 1/2 lengths sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs on June 12 at Churchill Downs, and he upped that margin to 10 1/2 lengths at the Spa in a final time of 1:10.65. 'He's just a very special horse,' said Scott Blasi, assistant to the first time Sanford-winning Asmussen. 'He has a ton of class for a 2-year-old, very laid back and really good turn-of-foot. I definitely think he improved from his first race to this race.' Obliteration broke very sharply from post 2 under Flavien Prat and showed the way through an opening quarter mile in 22.74 seconds, while tracked by local Tremont (L) runner-up Blinging It Back, with a gap developing to Imagine John and Strategic Risk. The Jose Ortiz-piloted Blinging It Back stuck outside Obliteration's hip in the turn as the pair increasingly separated themselves from the rest of the field. Through the half-mile in 45.56, it was still just a half-length between the top two betting choices, but Obliteration was preparing to live up to his name once straightened for home. Advertisement 'He was very efficient out of the gate and after that, felt very in control,' said Prat. 'Around the turn, he waited a bit on horses, but as soon as I squeezed him and he went back to his right lead, he went on.' Obliteration surged in the stretch en route to his eye-catching victory over Blinging It Back. Imagine John finished another 3 1/4 lengths back in third and Strategic Risk completed the superfecta. Fistfulofmoney and first time starter Honey Dutch completed the order of finish. 'As soon as he swapped leads and went to his right lead, it felt like he extended himself well and made a good run,' said Prat, aboard for the first time in the afternoon, taking over for Erik Asmussen, the reigning Eclipse Award Outstanding Apprentice and Steve's son. Local graded options for juveniles include the 6 1/2-furlong Grade 2, $200,000 Saratoga Special on August 2, as well as the seven-furlong Grade 1, $300,000 Spendthrift Farm Hopeful on September 1. Advertisement Ortiz said the Hall of Famer Mark Casse-trained Blinging It Back got a good trip, but was just second best. Casse also sent out Strategic Risk for fourth. 'It was very nice. The two [Obliteration] broke good and I felt like it was a two-horse race, so I went after him,' said Ortiz. 'I felt like I did what I had to do. He was better than me and I was second best. I had a good trip, and he ran good.' Bred in Kentucky by Ocala Stud, Obliteration, a $200,000 purchase at the 2025 OBS March Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training out of the stakes-placed Master Command mare I'mclassyandsassy, is a half-brother to stakes-winners Sassy Beast and Pure Class, Grade 3-placed Big and Classy and stakes-placed Family Biz. Obliteration banked $96,250 in victory while returning $3.80 for a $2 win bet as the post-time favorite. This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jul 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kentucky Derby Starter Tiztastic Returns To Turf In American Derby
Kentucky Derby Starter Tiztastic Returns To Turf In American Derby originally appeared on Paulick Report. Louisiana Derby (G2) winner Tiztastic is set to return to turf and face nine fellow 3-year-olds entered in Saturday's 110th running of the $250,000 American Derby (L) at Churchill Downs. Advertisement The American Derby, run at 1 1/16 miles, is one of six stakes contests on the tremendous 12-race card. First post is 12:45 p.m. (ET) with the American Derby going as the finale at 6:32 p.m. Also included on the program is the $1-million Stephen Foster (G1); $500,000 Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis (G2); $500,000 Wise Dan (G2); $250,000 Kelly's Landing (G3); and $250,000 Tepin (L). Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen for Winchell Thoroughbreds, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor and Derrick Smith, Tiztastic most recently finished 10th in Kentucky Derby (G1) May 3. His classics preparation was capped by a 2¼-length score in the March 22 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds. As a 2-year-old, the son of Tiz the Law won two turf races in 11 days at Kentucky Downs – a $253,600 restricted allowance contest and $1-million Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile (L). Tiztastic will be ridden by Joel Rosario out of post No. 3. The American Derby field also includes OXO Equine's Bourbon Stakes (G2) winner Minaret Station; Two Eight Racing, Berry Family Racing and Kaleta Racing's Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) runner-up Flying Mohawk; Blinkers On Racing Stable, Janlois Racing, Valinor Racing Stable, Tom Corbett, Andy Kwan and Jay Lester Wagner's two-time stakes winner Freedom's Not Free; and West Point Thoroughbreds, David Ingordo and CJ Stables' James W. Murphy Stakes winner Reagan's Wit. Advertisement The field for the American Derby from the rail out with (jockey, trainer): Reagan's Wit (Jose Ortiz, Cherie DeVaux) Flying Mohawk (Frankie Dettori, Whit Beckman) Tiztastic (Joel Rosario, Steve Asmussen) Siesta Key (Flavien Prat, Brad Cox) Minaret Station (Cristian Torres, Will Walden) Native Runner (Brian Hernandez Jr., Kenny McPeek) Soleil Volant (Irad Ortiz Jr., Graham Motion) Freedom's Not Free (Antonio Fresu, Mark Glatt) Giocoso (Ben Curtis, Keith Desormeaux) Anegada (Luis Saez, Mike Maker) This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jun 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
Forbes
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
2025 Ohio Derby Odds: Can Clever Again Get Back On Track?
As the summer racing season heats up, all eyes turn to Thistledown for the 2025 edition of the Ohio Derby. Traditionally held in late June, this Grade 3 event has long served as a second-chance spotlight for three-year-olds who may have missed or underperformed in the Triple Crown trail. This year's field is full of talent and redemption arcs, and I've zeroed in on one horse I believe could steal the show. But first, take a look at the race contenders. Trainer: Paul McEntee Jockey: Marshall Mendez Sire: Upstart Odds: 30/1 Trainer: Ethan West Jockey: Jareth Loveberry Sire: Preservationist Odds: 7/2 Trainer: Kim Puhl Jockey: Luis Gonzalez Sire: Laoban Odds: 10/1 Trainer: Rick Dutrow, Jr. Jockey: John Velazquez Sire: Cloud Computing Odds: 3/1 Trainer: Jason DaCosta Jockey: Rocco Bowen Sire: Gun Runner Odds: 20/1 Trainer: Steve Asmussen Jockey: Jose Ortiz Sire: American Pharoah Odds: 9/5 Trainer: Nestor Rivera Jockey: Israel Rodriguez Sire: Cajun Breeze Odds: 30/1 Trainer: Peter Miller Jockey: Mike Smith Sire: Vino Rosso Odds: 12/1 Trainer: Brittany Vanden Berg Jockey: Chris Emigh Sire: Tapiture Odds: 20/1 Trainer: Jeremiah Englehart Jockey: Joseph Ramos Sire: Complexity Odds: 6/1 The Ohio Derby offers a $500,000 purse and draws a field of improving sophomores, many coming off solid performances in spring prep races or looking to rebound from tough beats. With 1 1/8 miles on dirt, the race typically favors tactical speed, though closers have found success with well-timed rides. This year's field includes a mix of proven stakes runners and up-and-comers. Horses like Who Dey and Copper Tax have gained attention with steady form, while others are taking a big class leap. The diversity in racing styles sets up an intriguing pace scenario—one that I believe will favor a horse with versatility and grit. I'm doing it. I'm making Clever Again my top pick, despite being wary after the colt's recent defeat in the Preakness Stakes (G1). Trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Jose Ortiz, Clever Again brings a combination of early speed and the ability to sit just off the pace—an ideal style for the Thistledown surface. He has been facing tougher competition all season and may finally land in a spot where his class edge shines. What makes Clever Again particularly appealing is the tactical advantage. If the pace heats up early, he has the ability to rate and strike. If things get loose on the front end, he's fast enough to go gate-to-wire. That kind of dual-threat profile is rare in a field where most horses are committed to either front-running or deep-closing styles. While I do like Clever Again, he's not a lock by any means. Who Dey, who ran impressively earlier this spring, continues to improve and could be a serious threat if the pace falls apart. Meanwhile, Copper Tax, though a bit inconsistent, has the back class and the figures to make some noise if he can find racing room. I also think Kentucky Derby (G1) runner Chunk of Gold could be a horse who could take advantage of a potential pace meltdown. Longshots like Just Steel and Deposition may lack big wins, but Aaron advises not to overlook them in exotics. These types often hit the board in races like this, especially if the front-runners tire late. For bettors, the Ohio Derby is one of the more playable summer stakes races before Saratoga and Del Mar begin, with potential value throughout the field. Bet Clever Again to win, and consider boxing him in exactas with a few price horses like Who Dey or Deposition. For those playing trifectas or superfectas, using deep closers underneath could catch a nice payday. Whether you're a seasoned handicapper or a casual fan looking for action, the 2025 Ohio Derby promises a competitive field and betting opportunities galore. You can get more picks and analysis from me over at Good luck!
