For Asmussens, there's a lot to celebrate, and not just on the track

Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen and his wife, Julie, spent December celebrating some personal milestones in the lives of their sons, jockey Keith Asmussen and the stable’s accountant and bookkeeper, Darren Asmussen.

Darren was married on a recent Saturday in Texas.

“Darren’s wedding was one of the most significant events I’ve ever witnessed in my whole life,” Steve Asmussen said. “It was beyond emotional.”

Keith agreed.

“It was a beautiful wedding,” he said. “I was in awe the whole time. It was very special.”

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There will be more where that came from, as Keith recently became engaged to Andie Biancone, a racing analyst and the daughter of trainer Patrick Biancone.

“It’s been unbelievably exciting,” Steve said.

A third son, Erik, also is a jockey and has been riding at Oaklawn. Keith will be riding later this season at Oaklawn.

“I sit behind a desk and they sit on horses,” Darren quipped of his brothers over the summer.

◗ Miss Code West was voted horse of the meet at Remington for the third consecutive year in a record that matches the popular Welder.

◗ Steve Asmussen won his 20th Remington training title on Dec. 20. The meet’s leading jockey was Ramon Vazquez, and the leading owner was Bryan Hawk.

◗ There have been 64 claims totaling $1.3 million over the first 10 dates of the meet at Oaklawn.

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