Asmussen has pair of Posses in stakes

SHAKOPEE, Minn. - Trainer Steve Asmussen is always well represented in 2-year-old stakes, and on Saturday at Canterbury Park he will send out a posse to round up the competition in the Brian Barenscheer Juvenile and Canterbury Park Lassie.

In the $45,000 Barenscheer for 2-year-olds, Asmussen has entered Deputy Dance, a gray son of leading freshman sire Posse owned by the Heiligbrodt Racing Stable. Deputy Dance won in his third start despite some trouble at the break last out at Arlington Park. Terry Thompson will ride.

Alex's Tomcat may be the strongest upset threat among Deputy Dance's eight rivals in the 5 1/2-furlong Barenscheer. A winner in his first career outing at Canterbury, Alex's Tomcat finished third behind Possetothemax in the Prairie Gold Juvenile in his second start three weeks ago. Derek Bell has the call on Alex's Tomcat for trainer Red Rarick.

Ourchita Creek, C Alldastars and Churchill Downs shipper Tovah also merit consideration.

In the $45,000 Canterbury Park Lassie for 2-year old fillies, the Asmussen-trained Posse Valley will face some stiff competiton. Owned by Vinery Stables, Posse Valley was caught wide when fourth in her first try against stakes company three weeks ago at Prairie Meadows. Asmussen has named Dean Butler to ride in the 5 1/2-furlong race.

Rasierra won her maiden impressively last month at Prairie Meadows, then returned three weeks ago to finish third in the Prairie Gold Lassie. A daughter of Kafwain trained by Ray Tracy, Rasierra will be ridden by Carlos Montalvo.

Miss Missile turned some heads when she broke a track record in her career debut at Lone Star in April while winning by 4 3/4 lengths, but has lost some of that form in three subsequent starts. In her most recent outing, Miss Missile finished seventh after pressing a rapid early pace in the Grade 3 Debutante at Churchill Downs. Alex Birzer will ride Miss Missile for the first time.

Trainer Lynn Chleborad sends out an upset possibility in Bathed in Blue, who made a strong first impression when she won her maiden by better than five lengths at Prairie Meadows earlier this month. Thompson has the call.