Asmussen well-stocked with talented 3-year-old fillies

Trainer Steve Asmussen's stable is absolutely loaded with 3-year-old fillies. Nine of them already have proven to be stakes class or look like they could be stakes horses this spring. Here’s a rundown of the roster.

Nickname – The winner of the Grade 1 Frizette last fall was second in the Martha Washington at Oaklawn in her 3-year-old debut. Asmussen sent her back to Fair Grounds following the race, and on Monday, Nickname worked a powerhouse six furlongs in 1:11.40 while preparing for a trip back to Oaklawn for the Honeybee Stakes. “She’s a great big mare, and she was underdone last time,” Asmussen said.

Stageplay – The winner of the Silverbulletday Stakes was caught very wide on an inside-biased track while finishing fifth in the Rachel Alexandra on Feb. 20 at Fair Grounds. Her next race hasn’t been announced, but she worked an easy half-mile Monday and is on track to start in March.

Royal Obsession – Suffered her first loss when fourth in the Rachel Alexandra, but she, too, was caught wide on that inside track and actually ran fairly well in defeat. She also worked an easy half Monday at Fair Grounds. Expect her connections to look for longer distances as soon as possible.

Constellation – New York-based filly won her 3-year-old debut by 10 lengths Jan. 20 in the Ruthless Stakes.

Just Wicked – The winner of the Adirondack last summer at Saratoga, she most recently finished sixth as the favorite in the Alcibiades Stakes at Keeneland in October. Based at Fair Grounds, she’s ready to run, and Asmussen is looking for a race.

Inheritance – This $1.9 million auction purchase by Tapit was second at Saratoga in her debut, then won a Belmont maiden race Oct. 4 by 16 lengths. She had her second five-furlong work of the year Wednesday at Fair Grounds and “is coming back very nice,” Asmussen said.

Cced – Flashy Curlin filly was an impressive second-out maiden winner in a two-turn race Feb. 11 at Fair Grounds. Likely to run back in a first-level allowance.

Terra Promesa – Another Curlin filly, she won her maiden last fall at Churchill and took an Oaklawn first-level allowance route by nine lengths Feb. 5.

Adore – Big Brown filly has won two straight at Oaklawn, including a Feb. 21 first-level route allowance by four lengths.