Asmussen pleased with Hall of Fame's maturation

Trainer Steve Asmussen’s third win at Fair Grounds Saturday came with Hall of Fame, who captured the Grade 3, $250,000 Mineshaft Stakes by a head over Komorebino Omoide. It was the first stakes win for the improving 4-year-old.

Hall of Fame’s raw talent has never been in question, but he failed to fully express it in finishing seventh and 10th last year in the Risen Star and Louisiana Derby, respectively. Hall of Fame got the summer off and has gone 3 for 3 since returning to action Dec. 1, and he showed in the Mineshaft that he's now willing to rate and relax behind and inside rivals.

“He’s matured nicely. He needed all the time to get to this point, and we’re extremely pleased with the three races he’s run since his comeback,” Asmussen said.

The logical next spot for Hall of Fame is the Grade 2, $400,000 New Orleans Classic in March.

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