Asmussen finishes strongly at Churchill

Besides the stakes run at Churchill this weekend, there were some notable performances in overnight races, including three winners that helped Steve Asmussen extend his own record for the most training titles at the Louisville track.

Union Jackson and Wrath of Ruthie won first-level allowances, and a well-bet first-timer, Royal Obsession, looked terrific in a maiden score. They contributed to Asmussen’s win total of 13, marking the 17th time he has won or tied for leading trainer here.

It was a great week for Asmussen, who was cleared Nov. 23 of serious charges in a lengthy investigation in New York stemming from the infamous PETA scandal.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity we have with some extremely talented horses right now,” he said Monday from his Dallas-area home. “We need to make the most of it.”

Most of Asmussen’s Churchill horses were to be vanned Tuesday to Fair Grounds, which will serve as his main winter base, with strings also at Oaklawn Park and Aqueduct.

Union Jackson and Wrath of Ruthie, both 3-year-olds, will run back in allowances if possible, as will Royal Obsession, a 2-year-old Tapit filly described by Asmussen as a “tremendous talent who definitely acts like she’ll get two turns.”

Stageplay came out of her second-place finish in the Golden Rod in good order and could run back in the Jan. 16 Silverbulletday at Fair Grounds, he added, while Gun Runner, fourth in the Kentucky Jockey Club, will train at Fair Grounds and race next either there or at Oaklawn.

 Like Asmussen, Ken and Sarah Ramsey extended a record for most meet titles at Churchill when topping the owner standings for the 25th time. Nine winners reported home under the Ramsey red and white.

Corey Lanerie, with 33 wins, was the leading jockey for the 10th time in the last 11 Churchill meets. In the process, Lanerie set a personal record for a year, as he heads to Gulfstream Park for the winter with $8.2 million in mount earnings in 2015.

Field size averaged 9.40 horses per race and favorites won at a 34 percent clip (75 for 223).

Handle figures were to be made public early this week by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. Churchill does not release those numbers except for major race dates.

 By winning aboard both Carina Mia and Airoforce, Julien Leparoux swept the end-of-meet 2-year-old stakes for the second time. In 2007, Leparoux won with Pure Clan and Anak Nakal.

Leparoux also will ride at Gulfstream again this winter, starting Saturday with the Claiming Crown series.

 Travis Stone was on his way Monday from Louisville to his native New York, where he was to start working Wednesday at Aqueduct. Stone wrapped up his first year of calling races at Churchill Downs on Sunday to positive reviews.

Stone will perform various communications duties at Aqueduct, including periodically calling races, before returning here in late April.