Asmussens team up again with Ten Gauge in allowance
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HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Ten Gauge was a pick-up mount for jockey Keith James Asmussen last out. He guided the horse to a close third-place finish at 14-1 and he’ll be back in the saddle for the featured eighth race Friday at Oaklawn Park.
Ten Gauge should vie for favoritism in the entry-level allowance for 3-year-olds and up over 1 1/16 miles. A field of eight is set to start, and the competitive group includes Mahaamel, who comes off a runner-up finish in a $50,000 starter allowance at Oaklawn; Ben Diesel, a full brother to Grade 3 winner Will’s Secret who might benefit from a fast track; and Efficiency, who could be sitting on a peak race in his third start since September.
Asmussen has the mount for his father, Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen. Ten Gauge last raced on Jan. 28, on the undercard of the Southwest Stakes. Steve Asmussen said Manny Franco was originally named to ride Ten Gauge, but the New York-based rider did not make the trip after his mount, Hit Show, was declared from the Southwest. It left the trainer needing a rider for Ten Gauge.
“Keith knew him in the mornings, from getting on him,” Steve Asmussen said. “The horse responded to him, ran real well for him, and he gave him a good trip. He deserved to ride him back.”
Keith James Asmussen, 24, launched his riding career later than most jockeys – for good reason. He’s spent the past five years at the University of Texas earning a masters degree in accounting. Asmussen, who spent one summer during college riding races at Lone Star Park, graduated last year. But instead of heading for the nearest firm, he headed for the nearest jockeys’ room.
“I’m loving it – every moment,” Keith James Asmussen said. “Nothing can make you feel like being on a racehorse in full flight, and you add the part of race riding to it, it’s something supernatural.”
Keith James Asmussen’s decision to race ride after years of galloping horses on summer vacations was not a surprise to Steve Asmussen. He rode, and his father, Keith Asmussen, is a retired jockey who was aboard Steve Asmussen’s first winner as a trainer. Steve Asmussen reached 10,000 training victories in North America on Monday at Oaklawn.
“I think growing up, being around the racetrack, if you’ve ridden anything at any level, you want to go fast,” Steve Asmussen said. “So, I think everybody wants to be a jockey. I can’t imagine anybody not wanting to be a jockey, at least from my point of view.”
Steve Asmussen said Keith James and one of his other sons, Erik, who is galloping for the barn now, got a strong foundation in riding working alongside their grandfather, often with young horses. The lessons came at Keith Asmussen’s training center in Laredo, Texas.
“They have definitely spent their time down there, starting getting on horses,” Steve Asmussen said. “I believe that learning to do it correctly, through Dad, has made a difference.”
As for Keith James Asmussen, he’s hopeful for another good run from Ten Gauge.
“He’s a laid back horse, loves his job,” he said.
Keith James Asmussen also noted some of the numerical variables in Ten Gauge’s favor, as the son of Gun Runner owns the field’s best last-race Beyer, an 87.
“He ran a great speed figure last time,” he said. “I hope he moves forward.”
Spoken like a true jockey – and accountant.
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