Asmussen becomes third trainer to win 700 races at Churchill Downs

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – One race before saddling Mia Mischief to defeat Covfefe in the Roxelana on Saturday, Steve Asmussen achieved another milestone in his Hall of Fame training career.

Rocky Tough went last to first in an allowance, making Asmussen just the third trainer in Churchill history with 700 wins. He then won the Roxelana and two more races Sunday, giving him 703, which trails only Dale Romans (729) and Bill Mott (715) atop the all-time Churchill list.

Asmussen also has virtually clinched another meet title here. With just three cards left at the 38-day meet, he has 27 wins, 11 more than second place Eddie Kenneally. This will be the 21st time he has won or tied for the training title, a track record.

Asmussen, 53, started the week with 8,471 overall wins, second only to 9,445 for the late Dale Baird.

Closing-day fields assembling

Asmussen figures prominently in each of the three stakes that will help close the spring meet Saturday. Entries for the entire 12-race card are to be drawn Wednesday.

Asmussen will send out Rowdy Yates in the Grade 3, $125,000 Bashford Manor for 2-year-old colts and geldings, Magic Dance in the $125,000 Debutante for 2-year-old fillies, and New York Central in the $120,000 Kelly’s Landing for sprinters.

Another notable probable starter in the Debutante is Cholula Lips, a dominant winner of her lone start, which came at Santa Anita for Mike Harrington. The California-bred filly will be ridden by Rafael Bejarano, a former leading rider on the Kentucky circuit. Bejarano also will ride Phantom Boss for trainer Jorge Periban in the Bashford Manor.

Racing on this circuit moves Sunday to Ellis Park in western Kentucky for a summer meet that runs through Labor Day, Sept. 2.

Coach Rocks breaks her skein

A weather delay of 78 minutes before the eighth race Sunday worked out just fine for Coach Rocks, who registered her first victory since the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks in March 2018.

The $93,033 second-level allowance was switched from the turf to a sloppy main track when severe weather pounded this area following the seventh race. As horses waited in the paddock throughout the delay, the field scratched down to six, with Coach Rocks getting a great trip under David Cohen before splashing clear for her first win in seven starts. Trained by Romans, the 4-year-old Oxbow filly earned a career-high 84 Beyer.