Asmussen plotting schedules for Remington stakes winners

Pressure comes with the job as a trainer, and Hall of Fame horseman Steve Asmussen was feeling it late last month when She’s a Julie ran in the Grade 3, $200,000 Remington Park Oaks.

But it wasn’t because the filly was expected to win as an oddson favorite.

Carrol Castille, who co-owns She’s a Julie through his Whispering Oaks Farm, named the daughter of Elusive Quality for Asmussen’s wife, Julie, in a special gesture. Julie Asmussen has since successfully battled cancer.

“It was kind of an emotional thing,” Asmussen said. “I’m probably more nervous running that mare than any other horse I’ve ever had.”

She’s a Julie did not disappoint, coming through for a 1 1/2-length win – one of five stakes winners Asmussen had on the Sept. 30 program at Remington. It was the second stakes win for She’s a Julie following the Grade 3 Iowa Oaks in July at Prairie Meadows. In between those starts she ran second in the Grade 1 Alabama at Saratoga.

Now, the next stop could be New Mexico.

“I think the Zia Park Oaks on Nov. 21 is a very nice spot for her,” said Asmussen.

The $250,000 race will be run at the same 1 1/16-mile distance as both the Remington Park and Iowa Oaks. It is the marquee race at Zia Park in Hobbs, N.M.

She’s a Julie also is owned by Team Hanley, Bradley Thoroughbreds, and Madaket Stables.

The Asmussen-trained Hence won the $175,000 Governor’s Cup at Remington on Sept. 30, his second six-figure win this year. Back in early August, the horse captured the $200,000 Downs at Albuquerque Handicap. Hence closed from well back for a 3 1/4-length win at Remington for breeder and owner Calumet Farm.

“I’m awfully happy to see him in the winner’s circle,” Asmussen said. “When he puts it together, he’s very impressive.”

Asmussen said plans are to be determined for Hence.

A third Asmussen-trained stakes winner on the Sept. 30 card was Adventurous Lady, who captured the $50,000 E.L. Gaylord Memorial for 2-yearold fillies by 5 1/4 lengths, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 81.

“I thought that was by far her most impressive race,” Asmussen said. “We obviously have liked her all along. She broke her maiden in the Texas Thoroughbred Futurity at Lone Star, and with the win [Sept. 30], that’s three in a row for her.”

Asmussen said a longrange objective is the $100,000 Trapeze, a mile race for 2-year-old fillies on Dec. 16 at Remington.

“There’s a chance we’d like another race between now and then,” said Asmussen.

Adventurous Lady is a daughter of Kantharos who races for Jerry Durant. The ownertrainer team ended up sweeping the card’s stakes for 2-yearolds, also taking the $75,000 Kip Deville with B. B. Dude.

B. B. Dude was up for a neck win in the six-furlong race, and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 76. Asmussen said the $100,000 Clever Trevor over seven furlongs at Remington Nov. 2 is a target for B. B. Dude.

“He settled and finished up really nice the other day and it looks like the seven-eighths will be ideal for him next out,” said Asmussen

Adore won her fourth straight race in the $75,000 Ricks Memorial – the final stakes on the Sept. 30 card – cruising by 3 1/2 lengths and earning a Beyer Figure of 90. Her streak began on dirt – in a Lone Star Park allowance May 5 and the $75,000 Spotted Horse on June 22 at Evangeline Downs – and carried over to the turf in her two starts this meet at Remington.

“Adore will run anywhere on anything,” Asmussen said. “That was visually impressive – and her fourth win in a row.”

Adore’s wins during her streak have come by a combined margin of 16 1/2 lengths.

Asmussen said Adore has been entered in the Keeneland sale in November. She is a 5-year-old daughter of Big Brown who races for Winchell Thoroughbreds.

Jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. rode the five stakes winners for Asmussen.

◗ Shotgun’s Night, a halfbrother to millionaire Shotgun Kowboy, will make both his two-turn and turf debut in Thursday night’s fifth race at Remington. It’s a first-level allowance for 3-year-olds and up bred in Oklahoma. Ramon Vazquez has the mount for trainer C.R. Trout.

◗ The Equine Sales Company has cataloged 134 horses for its yearling and mixed sale Oct. 28 in Opelousas, La. There are 55 yearlings scheduled to sell during the first portion of the sale, which will be followed by a session of weanlings and broodmares.

◗ Special Rate, the sire of Grade 2 winner Patrona Margarita and multiple stakes winner Special Rockstar, will stand at River Oaks Farms in Sulphur, Okla., in 2019, the facility announced. Special Rate is a stakes-winning son of Pulpit. He will stand for $2,000.