Trainer spotlight: Asmussen barn revs up at Oaklawn

Steve Asmussen has been a mainstay at the top of Oaklawn Park trainer standings, winning 10 titles at the Hot Springs, Arkansas venue, including the last four years. That’s why it was so unusual to see the Hall of Fame trainer go winless from March 28-through-April 5, losing 45 starts in a row at Oaklawn.

The stable turned things around stylishly last week, winning 5-of-14 starts during a 20-race stretch, and Asmussen made up a lot of ground in the standings. A clear second presently, he may not be able to catch Robertino Diodoro, who is up by 10 wins with 11 racing days remaining, but it’s not impossible.

Asmussen swept the late daily double Thursday with Town Champ, who won her third start of the meet when taking an entry-level allowance; and Fair Grounds shipper Readyformycloseup.

Pneumatic, a 3-year-old son of Uncle Mo, recorded the first of three consecutive wins for the Asmussen barn on Saturday (races 6-8), improving to 2-for-2 with a convincing tally over entry-level allowance foes in his first 2-turn start.

Earner, a 3-year-old son of Carpe Diem exiting a runner-up finish at Fair Grounds in his career debut, followed with a 3 3/4-length maiden victory as the 4-5 favorite. Four-year-old Proverb completed the Asmussen hat trick by narrowly taking an entry-level allowance about 30 minutes later.

Ricardo Santana Jr., the first-call rider for Asmussen at Oaklawn, was up on the first four winners last week. Joel Rosario picked up the assignment upon Proverb, with Santana piloting fourth-place stablemate Gallant Plunger.

Asmussen, who won 612 races in 2019, currently ranks second all-time with 8,825 wins. He could catch Dale Baird (9,445) before the end of 2021.

Entries are up for Thursday’s nine-race program, and Asmussen will be represented by a pair of runners: Cabot, the 5-2 morning line favorite in race 1; and Aggressivity, who is listed at 8-1 in race 9.

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