Asmussen sends out three favorites in Debutante
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Trainer Steve Asmussen was the dominant trainer in the Debutante Stakes at Churchill Downs in the early to mid-2000s, winning the race in 2001 with Cashier’s Dream and recording three straight victories with Effectual (2005), Richwoman (2006), and Rated Fiesty (2007).
On Saturday, he has a strong chance to resume his winning ways in the $100,000, six-furlong stakes for 2-year-old fillies when he starts the three morning-line favorites in the eight-horse race: Adhara (2-1), Areolite (5-2), and Thievery (9-2).
They bring in similar credentials, each having won first time out with a Beyer Speed Figure in the low 60s – something none of the other five entrants has done. Adhara and Areolite also share owner-breeder Winchell Thoroughbreds.
Thievery differs from those two in that her debut win came May 2 at Indiana Grand, where the racing is easier than Churchill, but that race’s form has held up, with the runner-up immediately winning at Indiana and the fourth-place finisher winning there two starts later.
Fittingly, the jockeys riding Adhara and Areolite are dueling for the riding title. Julien Leparoux returns on Areolite, while Corey Lanerie picks up the ride on Adhara, replacing Ricardo Santana Jr., who is riding Saturday in the Iowa Oaks, Iowa Derby, and Cornhusker Handicap at Prairie Meadows.
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Debutante (race 7)
Key contenders
Adhara (Last Beyer: 63)
* She is the only filly in the race who has raced as far as 5 1/2 furlongs, doing so in a blowout maiden win and perhaps giving her a foundation edge.
Cosmic Evolution (Last Beyer: 59)
* Set the pace in her debut and gamely held second to Areolite. Will be a much fatter price than that rival.
Areolite (Last Beyer: 62)
* Has pedigree power as a daughter of Tapit, an elite sire who stands for $300,000.
Thievery (Last Beyer: 60)
* Showed the ability to rally from third in her debut and has worked the fastest of the three Asmussen trainees since coming to Churchill from Indiana Grand in mid-June.
Kelly’s Landing (race 9)
A couple of races after the Debutante, the Kelly’s Landing overnight stakes at seven furlongs is the last of the four stakes on the nighttime card as the ninth of 11 races. It is among the better wagering races of the night.
Key contenders
Schivarelli (Last 3 Beyers: 91-83-84)
* Has recorded three bullet works since late May in preparation for his first start since running second to Eastwood in a well-rated third-level allowance April 24 at Keeneland.
Ruble (Last 3 Beyers: 97-89-75)
* Another horse coming into this race fresh, he is a winner of 5 of 12 starts on dirt, including his last two starts at Churchill Downs, high-priced claimers in April and November.
Viva Majorca (Last 3 Beyers: 77-93-79)
* Recently a non-threatening fourth in the Grade 3 Aristides, he has been erratic in recent starts but is capable of running quickly, particularly at Churchill Downs, where he is 2 for 5.