Casual tries to redeem dam's Acorn loss

ELMONT, N.Y. – It’s been 17 years, but the 2003 Acorn Stakes where Lady Tak got beat a head by Bird Town still irks trainer Steve Asmussen.

“You mean she should have won?” Asmussen said.

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Perhaps Casual, Lady Tak’s seventh foal, can give Asmussen his first Grade 1 Acorn victory when she runs in the one-mile race for 3-year-old fillies Saturday at Belmont.

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Casual has won her first two starts, a six-furlong maiden race at Oaklawn Park and a seven-furlong allowance in May at Churchill Downs. Asmussen is hoping that being by Curlin, Casual will be able to stretch out to the mile.

“Curlin gives her a little more bottom,” Asmussen said. “Lady Tak was just a freak talent, like a high-density balloon – how you used it and when you used it, it all came out at once.”

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The Acorn field will draw the Grade 2 Las Virgenes winner Venetian Harbor as well as the unbeaten Gamine (2 for 2) from California. Lucrezia, Perfect Alibi, Pleasant Orb, and Water White also are expected.

Perfect Alibi, last year’s Grade 1 Spinaway winner, worked a half-mile in 50.99 seconds Friday morning over the Belmont main track.