SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – It was an atypical slow first week at Saratoga for trainer Steve Asmussen, who started just three horses – without a win – during the first four days of the meet. Things are about to change. Asmussen, who had gone 4 for 14 during opening week of the 2021 Saratoga meet, will have plenty of action in the coming days and weeks and spent Sunday and Monday preparing many of his top horses stabled here for upcoming stakes engagements. Chief among that group was Epicenter, the Kentucky Derby and Preakness runner-up. Preparing for the Grade 2, $600,000 Jim Dandy on July 30, Epicenter on Monday had his final serious work going five furlongs in 1:01.18 while galloping out six furlongs in 1:13.99 and seven furlongs in 1:27.06. Asmussen had jockey Joel Rosario work Epicenter, who started about three lengths behind Flute Master, under exercise rider Wilson Fabian, and finished six in front at the wire. “I think he needed to leave some company, it was by design,” Asmussen said of Monday’s work over the Oklahoma training track. “Wilson broke off in front of him and didn’t ride his horse through because we felt Epicenter needed to remember who he is and get a little separation there.” :: Get Saratoga Clocker Reports from Mike Welsch and the Clocker Team. Available every race day. Asmussen said Rosario being on Epicenter was the first time the horse has had a jockey on his back in the mornings. Epicenter got a bit of a break following the Triple Crown races, Asmussen said. He had a serious move before he left Churchill Downs, and Monday’s drill was his second since arriving in Saratoga. “He’s been his usual happy-go-lucky, playful self ever since he’s returned to training, but I definitely felt this morning was time for a serious move from him and I liked what I saw,” Asmussen said. Also working for Asmussen on Monday was Gunite, last year’s Grade 1 Hopeful winner who went five furlongs in 1:02.66. Gunite is coming off a victory in the Maxifield Stakes on July 3 at Churchill Downs and is pointing to the Grade 2, $200,000 Amsterdam Stakes here at 6 1/2 furlongs on July 31. Gulfport, who won the Bashford Manor Stakes on July 4 at Churchill, worked a half-mile in 52.84 seconds. He is pointing to the Grade 2, $200,000 Saratoga Special here Aug. 13. On Sunday, Asmussen worked Jackie’s Warrior, Society, and Clairiere. Jackie’s Warrior, the 2021 champion sprinter, went five furlongs in 1:00.62 in company with Favorite Outlaw. Jackie’s Warrior is pointing to the Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap on July 30. “He loves it up here, he trains beautifully here, hope it all stays well,” Asmussen said. The 3-year-old filly Society, 3 for 3, worked a half-mile in 49.95 over the Oklahoma training track as she prepares to meet division standouts Secret Oath and Nest in Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks. “Secret Oath and Nest are beautiful horses, but she deserves this chance,” Asmussen said. “She’s done everything right.” Clairiere, winner of the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps on June 11 at Belmont Park, worked a half-mile in 49.08 in preparation for Sunday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Shuvee. That 1 1/8-mile race is a stepping-stone to the Grade 1 Personal Ensign on Aug. 27. “She’s trained so good this year all year long,” Asmussen said. The Shuvee is expected to draw Malathaat and Bonny South. On Thursday, Asmussen sends out a pair of 2-year-olds in maiden races. Run Poppy, second on debut at 4-5 on June 26, will make his second start in a 5 1/2-furlong dirt race that goes as the fourth. Asmussen felt Run Poppy didn’t leave the gate running as well as he should, which is why he worked him three furlongs out of the gate Saturday. “He was having a lot of fun with the pony horse and everything else that day and definitely didn’t have his mind where we wanted it to be, that’s why we popped him out of the gate,” Asmussen said. “After watching him draw the one-hole I’m sure glad I did.” In race 10, Asmussen sends out Sugar Mamas Cakery in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden turf sprint. The daughter of Mendelssohn finished sixth in a five-furlong dirt race on debut. :: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match and FREE Formulator PPs! Join DRF Bets. “Really rough trip first time, she’s got nice talent, I think she’ll run really well,” Asmussen said. Echo Zulu back training Echo Zulu, last year’s 2-year-old champion filly who was scratched moments before the running of the Grade 1 Acorn on June 10 due to lameness, is in Saratoga and has resumed training. “Just started back with her,” Asmussen said Monday. “She got a clean bill of health from Dr. [Larry] Bramlage a week ago today and she has returned to the racetrack up here. With no exact target in mind, we will enjoy training her for a bit.” Echo Zulu won her maiden and the Grade 1 Spinaway here last summer. She then won the Grade 1 Frizette and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies to claim the Eclipse Award as champion 2-year-old filly. This year, Echo Zulu won the Fair Grounds Oaks and was fourth, beaten three lengths, in the Kentucky Oaks.