Familiar team sends Aireofdistinction to Open Mind win

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The same people who won the 2013 Open Mind Stakes – trainer Steve Asmussen, owner Gillian Campbell, and jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. – were again the winners of Saturday’s Open Mind Stakes at Churchill. Only the winning filly was different, with Aireofdistinction scoring in the race Saturday following Vuitton’s triumph last year.

Aireofdistinction rebounded from a trio of races somewhat below par for her in taking the $115,500 Open Mind, returning to the form that led to her winning the Spring Fever Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 22. She broke running, racing in a pressing position outside of the favored Flower Spell before asserting herself in the lane and drawing away late to a 2 1/2-length victory.

Interest Free rallied from last in the field of six to grab second, three-quarters of a length in front of Janis’s Joy, who after pulling within a head of the winner in mid-stretch, weakened to third.

Flower Spell, the 3-2 public choice, faded to fourth without an excuse and was followed by Rusticana and Afternoon Tango across the wire.
Vuitton, now racing for different connections, was scratched.

The winner, a 4-year-old daughter of Songandaprayer, raced six furlongs in 1:10.54 and paid $7 as the second favorite.

“She’s a nice filly – she always tries,” said Santana, who won three races on the Saturday card at Churchill.