Cox, Asmussen close in on single-season earnings record

Brad Cox continues to hold a narrow lead in stable earnings over Steve Asmussen in 2021 as both draw ever closer to breaking the record for a single year.

Through Sunday, Cox runners had earned $31,001,731 this year versus $30,565,923 for Asmussen, according to Daily Racing Form statistics. The all-time record for one-year earnings is $31,112,144, set in 2019 by Chad Brown.

Cox and Asmussen are widely regarded as the top two contenders for the Eclipse Award for outstanding trainer, which Cox won last year for the first time. Asmussen, a Hall of Fame member, is a two-time Eclipse winner (2008-09).

Both trainers currently have their top horses at Fair Grounds and Oaklawn Park, although both also remain active elsewhere. Last week (Dec. 6 to 12), Cox had one win and Asmussen had four.

Overall, Asmussen leads all trainers in starts (2,348) and wins (442). Both he and Cox are tied with two other trainers, Brown and Bob Baffert, for most Grade 1 wins, all with 10. Starting this week, Cox has 30 graded wins in 2021 versus 21 for Asmussen.