Asmussen's Festival of South stakes prospects drill

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The Racing Festival of the South is just around the corner, and Oaklawn leading trainer Steve Asmussen had some of the barn’s prospects for the series out for works Monday. The festival features seven major stakes over the final three dates of the meet, culminating with the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby on April 15.

Terra Promessa was among those who breezed, with plans calling for her to advance to the Grade 1, $600,000 Apple Blossom on April 14. She went a half-mile in 52 seconds, working by herself on a track clockers rated “good.” Asmussen was pleased with the maintenance drill from the multiple graded stakes winner.

“She’s such a beautiful mover,” Asmussen said after the work. “She’s a very graceful filly. She was calm and relaxed as ever. We will proceed to the Apple Blossom.”

Ever So Clever, a 3-year-old filly who has placed in a pair of Grade 2 races at Churchill Downs, worked five furlongs in a sharp 1:00.80. Following the move, Asmussen said she most likely will make her next start in the Grade 3, $400,000 Fantasy, a Kentucky Oaks points race run April 14.

Holy Boss, a Grade 2 winner, hit the track after the renovation break and worked five-eighths by himself in 1:02.40. He could go next in the Grade 3, $400,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap on April 15.

“The Count Fleet’s a possibility,” Asmussen said. “We’ll see. I think with a little time here, a couple of moves over the racetrack as big-bodied as he is, he’ll benefit from that.”

Asmussen’s other workers Monday were Untrapped and Lookin At Lee, both of whom are on deck for the Arkansas Derby.