HOT SPRINGS -- There were more lucrative and prestigious races to come, but for the moment Steve Asmussen was excited about a field of $30,000 maiden claimers going a mile.
It was the first race on Thursday's card, seven races before the Count Fleet Handicap, the day before the Apple Blossom Handicap and two days before the Arkansas Derby. Asmussen walked from the backstretch onto the track at Oaklawn Park behind his two entrants, Empire Crown and Don't Hold Me Back, completely focused on the race 20 minutes away.
Empire Crown, the 2-1 favorite making his first start around two turns, got the lead heading into the first turn, held it for 6 furlongs, but tired to finish fifth.
Among those running past Empire Crown was another Don't Hold Me Back, who pulled away to win at 9-2 and give Asmussen his 7,005th career training victory, second on the all-time list.
"They're all exciting," Asmussen said a few minutes later as he watched his filly Forever Since walk by during the post parade for the second race. " The one thing about racing, at all levels, when you win, for however how long it lasts, you were right.
"I mean, what else could you want? That's the result you were working for, so you're excited about it."
Today Asmussen will saddle the undisputed star of his stable, 4-year-old filly Untapable, the 1-2 morning-line favorite in the the Grade I $600,000 Apple Blossom Handicap.
Untapable, a Kentucky bred daughter of Tapit, has been trained by Asmussen through her decorated career, one highlighted by victories in 2014 Kentucky Oaks and Breeders' Cup Distaff and an Eclipse Award as the top 3-year-old filly for 2014.
Asmussen, 49, said the fact that Untapable is owned by Ron and Joan Winchell's Winchell Thoroughbreds adds a particular sense of nostalgia to his relationship with the champion filly.
Asmussen's parents, Keith and Sis Asmussen, worked with thoroughbreds owned by Vern Winchell, the late husband of Joan and father of Ron, more than 30 years ago near Laredo, Texas, where Steve Asmussen and brother Cash were raised. Cash was an Eclipse Award winning jockey who now trains.
"We all go back to Laredo," Asmussen said. "The Winchells and my family have been involved for 30-something years. You know, Tapit, we all came through the same farm. Several generations before her, we all came through the same farm system.
"When you think back to where you were, for me to be associated with her, to be able to put my hands on her all the time, it's a dream come true. I appreciate it every day."
Untapable is the most recent success story for Asmussen, who is six years removed from a three-year streak of training the North American Horse of the Year -- Curlin in 2007 and 2008 and then with Rachel Alexandra in 2009.
Asmussen took over the training of Rachel Alexandra from Hal Wiggins when she was sold to Jess Jackson after her victories in Oaklawn's 2009 Fantasy Stakes and the Kentucky Oaks. Fifteen days later she became the first filly since 1924 to win the Preakness Stakes.
Asmussen's first Triple Crown victory came in 2007 with Curlin, who followed up victories in Oaklawn's Rebel Stakes and Arkansas Derby with a Preakness Stakes title. Curlin also won the 2007 Breeders Cup Classic and remains the all-time money earner among North American horses with purses totaling more than $10.5 million.
"We've been fortunate enough to win some big races," Asmussen said. "I remember when it was a photo for Curlin to win the Preakness, and when they put his number up it was kind of a separating moment for what can happen."
Untapable, a unanimous selection as the top 3-year-old filly of 2014, appears talented enough to rise to the highest level, but she has something to prove after her second-place finish in her 2015 debut nearly four weeks ago.
She went off at 1-9 odds in the Grade II Azeri Stakes at Oaklawn on March 14, her first race in 4 1/2 months, since her victory at the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita Park. But Gold Medal Dancer, at 9-1, was the better filly that day, taking the lead at the start and holding on to win by half a length on a sloppy track.
Gold Medal Dancer's trainer Donnie Von Hemel said he thinks it will take more today for a repeat victory.
"Untapable's going to be faster this time," Von Hemel said. "How much do we need to improve to be able to compete with her?"
Asmussen sounded confident, even his though his filly is carrying 121 pounds, 4 more than Gold Medal Dancer. Untapable carried 122 in the Azeri, 5 more than Gold Medal Dancer.
"Gold Medal Dancer is doing very well here, but we like that side we're on," Asmussen said. "There's no such thing as a sure thing. I know enough about this game to know that, but we feel very fortunate to have her."
Asmussen said he feels fortunate about many factors that have helped lead to his success, a resume that includes two Eclipse Awards as North America's outstanding trainer (2008 and 2009).
A least one jockey who rides for Asmussen expressed appreciation for him.
"I'm grateful that he trusts me enough to let me ride for him," said Carlos Santana, Oaklawn's leading rider. "Steve has made me better."
"I'm blessed," said Asmussen, who won his first race as a trainer in 1986. "My mom trained, and my dad road. They're incredible horsemen. I realize how fortunate I've been to have the parents I have and to have the opportunities I've been given.
"And my brother had crazy success. I think Cash made it possible for me to think I could do what I've done."
Sports on 04/10/2015