Asmussen first in Preakness trainers' competition

Trainer Steve Asmussen for the second year in a row took down first prize in the $100,000 Preakness weekend trainers’ competition.

Horses earned points for where they finished in stakes on Black-Eyed Susan Day and Preakness Day. Asmussen had a big weekend and took down the $50,000 top prize.

On Saturday, Asmussen won the Grade 3 Maryland Sprint with Switzerland, the $200,000 Chick Lang with Mitole, and the $100,000 James W. Murphy with Tap Daddy. He sent out Tenfold to finish a close third in the Preakness, and also earned points with five other horses.

On Friday, he won the Skipat Stakes with Vertical Oak, finished second in the Grade 3 Pimlico Special with Untrapped, and was third in the Grade 3 Miss Preakness with Buy Sell Hold.

Asmussen’s horses earned 82 points in the competition. Graham Motion was second with 45 points and earned a bonus of $25,000.

A $50,000 trainers’ competition for non-stakes races over the weekend was put in place this year. Linda Rice’s horses earned 22 points, good enough for first place and a bonus of $25,000. Mary Eppler finished second with 19 points and earned $10,000.