Asmussen runners tune up for stakes

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Oaklawn leading trainer Steve Asmussen had a large contingent of workers out Monday morning, with a number of those runners prepping for stakes during the Racing Festival of the South.

It was a sunny morning with temperatures in the 60s and the sealed track was listed as muddy.

Midnight Bisou, who has been assigned top weight of 122 pounds for the Grade 1, $750,000 Apple Blossom Handicap on Sunday at Oaklawn, worked in the first set. She went a half-mile by herself in 51.60 seconds, with Oaklawn clockers catching her final quarter in 23.80 seconds. Mike Smith has the mount, said Asmussen.

Long Range Toddy, a leading Arkansas Derby contender off his win in the first division of the Grade 2, $750,000 Rebel, worked during a special training session for Festival nominees. He went a half-mile by himself in 52.60 seconds, with clockers getting his final quarter in 24.80 seconds. Jon Court has the mount, said Asmussen.

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Asmussen had two other confirmed Arkansas Derby contenders out for breezes during the Festival session. Laughing Fox, under jockey Ricardo Santana Jr., went a half-mile by himself in 48.20 seconds and galloped out five-eighths in 1:01.40, according to clockers. Jersey Agenda went a half-mile by himself in 51 seconds.

Tenfold, who has been weighted at 117 pounds for a confirmed start in the Grade 2, $750,000 Oaklawn Handicap on Saturday, worked first set Monday. He went a half-mile by himself in 51.40 seconds, with clockers getting his final quarter in 23.80 seconds.