Asmussen, Santana a potent force in undercard stakes

Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen and jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. won four stakes together on last year’s Oklahoma Derby Day program at Remington Park and they’re back for more Sunday. The men are teaming in all 10 stakes races on the Oklahoma Derby card this year, and among their targets is the $175,000 Governor’s Cup with Hence.

The Governor’s Cup, at 1 1/8 miles, is the meet’s richest race for 3-year-olds and up. A field of six is set to start, including Shotgun Kowboy, the winner of the Grade 3, $200,000 Lone Star Park Handicap in his last start May 27.

Hence, a multiple Grade 3 winner for Calumet Farm, enters off a seventh-place finish in the Grade 1 Woodward on Sept. 1 at Saratoga. He closed from last in the field of 14, and finished 5 1/2 lengths behind winner Yoshida.

“He didn’t run a bad race,” said Asmussen.

One start prior, Hence captured the $200,000 Downs at Albuquerque Handicap at 1 1/8 miles on Aug. 4.

“It was good to see him win another nice race,” Asmussen said. “He’s always been a very impressive horse to train.”

Santana has the mount from post 1.

Last year, Santana and Asmussen won the Governor’s Cup with Iron Fist, and also took the Oklahoma Derby with Untrapped.

Pop Keenan travels for Vance

Pop Keenan will be making his first start outside of Parx when he runs in the $150,000 David M. Vance, a six-furlong race that had been won four times by the now-retired Ivan Fallunovalot.

The field for Sunday includes Petrov, the probable favorite off an allowance win at Saratoga, and Wings Locked Up, who had played runner-up to Ivan Fallunovalot in this race last year and in 2016.

Pop Keenan will get good support off his runner-up finish to The Man in the $102,000 Banjo Picker Sprint on Sept. 1. He closed from last and was beaten just a half-length, earning a strong Beyer Figure of 93.

“I think he’ll run really good,” said trainer John Servis. “He’s a nice horse, gives you everything he’s got every time. He got stuck behind a wall of traffic last time and came running for second.”

Frankie Pennington has the mount for owner Cash Is King.

Petrov is still looking for his first stakes win at age 4. He comes out of a 2 1/4-length allowance win at Saratoga. Jose Ortiz has the mount for trainer Ron Moquett.

Adore goes for four straight

Adore will be seeking to win her fourth straight race when she goes in the $75,000 Ricks Memorial, a 1 1/16-mile turf race for fillies and mares. She began her streak in a Lone Star allowance May 5, then won the $75,000 Spotted Horse in July at Evangeline before winning on turf for the first time in a Remington allowance on Aug. 31.

“It was great to see her win on the turf,” Asmussen said. “It gives her more options.

“She’s always had a lot of ability. She’s found the winner’s circle and seems to enjoy it.”

Santana has the mount for Winchell Thoroughbreds.

◗ Trainer Veronica Griggs will start a pair of past Red Earth winners in this year’s $70,000 renewal of the 7 1/2-furlong turf race for Oklahoma-breds. Pacific Typhoon won the race last year, and in more recent times flirted with the course record at Lone Star Park when winning a mile allowance in 1:32.80. He was seventh last out in the $100,000 Remington Green, and later suffered symptoms of heat stroke, said Griggs. Her other starter, Perfect to Please, won the Red Earth three years ago and comes off back-to-back allowance wins at Remington. Asmussen saddles Curmit, a half-brother to Grade 2 winner Magnum to be ridden by Santana.

◗ Asmussen and Santana team with B.B. Dude in the $75,000 Kip Deville, a six-furlong race for 2-year-olds and the first stop on the road to the meet’s $400,000 Springboard Mile. B.B. Dude could start as third choice behind Stupify and My Bling following his win in the $50,000 Manzano at the Downs at Albuquerque on Aug. 11. “It’s a good spot for him, good timing for him,” said Asmussen.

◗ Adventurous Lady is the probable favorite in the $50,000 E.L. Gaylord Memorial, a 6 1/2-furlong race for 2-year-old fillies. Asmussen has given the mount to Santana, who was aboard Adventurous Lady for her professional-looking win in a $100,000 division of the Texas Thoroughbred Futurity in July. She has since won an allowance at Remington under David Cabrera.

◗ Marquee Miss, a half-sister to recent Grade 1 winner Promises Fulfilled, shoots for the fifth stakes win of her career in the $50,000 Flashy Lady for fillies and mares at six furlongs. Asmussen and Santana will counter with Raging Town, who comes off an allowance win at Remington.

◗ Gianna’s Dream will attempt to run her Remington turf record to 5 for 5 in the $70,000 Bob Barry Memorial, a 7 1/2-furlong turf race for Oklahoma-bred fillies and mares that she won two years ago at 3. Asmussen and Santana counter with Rosie O’Prado.