Bankit to get change of scenery

Bankit, a stakes winner who ran fifth in the Grade 3, $500,000 Southwest last week at Oaklawn, is likely headed to a new venue, trainer Steve Asmussen said.

Bankit had been based in Arkansas and was the favorite for last month’s $150,000 Smarty Jones at Oaklawn. He finished an uncharacteristic sixth one start after a fast-closing second in the $400,000 Springboard Mile at Remington Park. Earlier in his career, Bankit won the $250,000 Sleepy Hollow at Belmont Park.

In the Southwest, Bankit was beaten 5 1/4 lengths after a troubled trip.

“I’m probably going to move Bankit,” Asmussen said. “I hate that he doesn’t run his race over this racetrack. He had a traffic-marred trip – extremely wide in both turns and just everything – but he doesn’t accelerate on this track like he does” in his other races.

Bankit is a son of Central Banker who races for Winchell Thoroughbreds and Willis Horton Racing. His next start is to be determined, Asmussen said.