City Style relishes turf, longer distance

City Style has established himself as the early favorite for the $100,000 El Joven for 2-year-olds at a mile on turf at Retama Park on Nov. 1.

He shipped from Retama to Louisiana Downs last weekend and upset the $150,000 Sunday Silence. Although next-race plans for him have not been decided, he is nominated to the El Joven, said Cash Asmussen, an assistant and consultant to his wife, trainer Cheryl Asmussen.

Making his turf debut, City Style closed from 13 lengths back in the Sunday Silence, a 1 1/16-mile race for 2-year-olds. He earned a Beyer Figure of 79 in the race, his first start around two turns.

"The horse had been crying out for more ground," Cash Asmussen said after the race Saturday, "and this was a great opportunity in this part of the world for us. We're close by."

City Style was 19-1 in the Sunday Silence.

"He has a wonderful turn of foot, and his workmates have proven well as of late, so we were a little more confident than 20-1 coming in," said Asmussen. "We'll see how he comes back, and then we'll kind of play it by ear. He is nominated to the Retama race, and Mr. and Mrs. McNair love to race in Texas."

City Style races for his breeders, Bob and Janice McNair of Houston. City Style is by City Zip and out of the multiple-stakes-winning mare Brattothecore.