Asmussen going for third Kentucky Oaks victory with Lady Apple
Two of the greatest victories in the Hall of Fame career of Steve Asmussen have come in the Kentucky Oaks, with Summerly (2005) and Untapable (2014). Asmussen believes he merits a good chance at a third Oaks triumph Friday when he sends out Lady Apple off three straight victories at Oaklawn Park, the latest in the Grade 3 Fantasy.
“That first win in the Oaks with Summerly, boy, that was great,” recalled Asmussen, who ranks second all-time in training wins with more than 8,400, behind only the late Dale Baird (9,445). “Then, Untapable, she was such a special mare. When you win with fillies like them, it makes you realize what a horse, and what an effort, it takes to win the Oaks.”
Lady Apple was sired by Curlin, the two-time Horse of the Year (2007-08) trained by Asmussen. The filly slumped during her 2-year-old season but has yet to taste defeat at 3. Ricardo Santana Jr. will be back aboard and they break from post 3 in a full field of 14 entered Monday for the 145th Oaks.
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“She’s stepping up to the big stage here,” said Asmussen. “Ricardo worked out a dream trip for her in the Fantasy, a race we felt had a lot of pace in it. We feel like the Oaks will have even more pace, so let’s see what she can do.”
The late Woody Stephens has the most Oaks wins (6), while D. Wayne Lukas (4) has the most among active trainers. Bob Baffert, who will saddle longshot Flor de La Mar, and Larry Jones, who will send out Street Band, are tied for the most wins (3) among trainers with a 2019 entry.
Nettles to sing anthem
Jennifer Nettles, the lead singer for the popular country-music duo Sugarland, will sing the national anthem for the ontrack Churchill crowd and an international television audience on Derby Day. The performance will take place shortly after 5 p.m. Eastern and during the NBC broadcast.
Nettles, a Grammy Award winner, follows such superstars as Lee Ann Rimes, Mary J. Blige, and Harry Connick Jr. in singing the anthem in a role created by Churchill in 2009.
