Asmussen to stable at Woodbine

Steve Asmussen, who was both North America's leading trainer in races won and an Eclipse Award finalist for the third time in the past four seasons last year, will have a division at Woodbine for the first time in 2008.

Steve Lym, Woodbine's racing secretary and director of racing, said Asmussen has been granted 30 stalls.

"I'm excited as can be," said Asmussen from the Fair Grounds on Tuesday. "I hope we'll be bringing the right kind of horses to get in there and win a few races."

Assistant trainer Darren Fleming will run the barn here for Asmussen, who has had just eight starters at Woodbine but won the Victoria Stakes with shippers Chace City in 2006 and Kodiak Kowboy last year.

Kodiak Kowboy, who had made one start here before the Victoria, met the two-start minimum for Sovereign Award consideration and was named Canada's champion 2-year-old male at year's end

Meanwhile, Lym said that approximately 300 applicants had submitted stall requests for 4,000 horses. Woodbine can accommodate 2,170 horses.

The 167-day Woodbine meeting will open on Saturday, April 5.