Asmussen rides into William Walker Stakes on a high

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – If Steve Asmussen doesn’t stay unbeaten in the $100,000 William Walker Stakes on Saturday, well, it won’t ruin his week.

Asmussen won the inaugural Walker on opening night of the 2015 spring meet at Churchill Downs with Cinco Charlie, and he has one of the top contenders in the second running in Patton Proud. Patton Proud is one of five 3-year-olds set to clash in the six-furlong Walker, the seventh of 11 races on a card that starts at 6 p.m. Eastern.

“He’s a beautiful horse coming off a sharp victory,” said Asmussen.

Win or lose, this is an unforgettable period in Asmussen’s career. On Monday, it was announced that he has been elected to the Racing Hall of Fame, and with two contenders for the Kentucky Derby and as many as four for the Kentucky Oaks, life is very good.

“We’re blessed,” he said.

Patton Proud, with Ricardo Santana Jr. back to ride, comes off a first-level allowance triumph at Oaklawn Park in running his career record to 2 for 3.

“I think he actually wants to go farther than this, and we’ll eventually give him that chance,” said Asmussen. “For now, this should be fine.”

Toews On Ice, trained by Bob Baffert, is the most accomplished foe. Although he was well beaten as an odds-on favorite in his most recent start, the Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn on Jan. 18, his form as a 2-year-old was outstanding, as he won three sprint stakes back home in California.

Post time for the Walker is 9:05 p.m. The Walker replaced the Derby Trial last year as the opening-day feature. The Derby Trial became the Pat Day Mile, now a Grade 3 race on the Derby undercard.

There is no racing at Churchill on Sunday. A five-day Derby week then runs Tuesday through Saturday, with the track dark May 8, the Sunday after the Derby.

The Walker is named for Billy Walker, who rode Baden-Baden to win the third Kentucky Derby in 1877.

KEY CONTENDERS

Patton Proud, by Eskendereya

Last 3 Beyers: 78-70-81

◗ Chestnut colt won at first asking last fall at Keeneland before finishing third in a tough allowance mile at Churchill, with his April 10 return at Oaklawn marking his only appearance since.

Toews On Ice, by Archarcharch

Last 3 Beyers: 68-85-85

◗ Turnback from the one-mile Smarty Jones is a logical and familiar ploy for Baffert, the Hall of Famer who has excellent statistics in the categories that apply here (61-to-180-day layoffs and route to sprint).

Sheikh of Sheikhs, by Discreetly Mine

Last 3 Beyers: 79-76-84

◗ Winner of the Juvenile Dirt Sprint on Breeders’ Cup weekend last fall at Keeneland for Wesley Ward, this colt has lost his two races as a 3-year-old.