Finite gives Asmussen stakes win 1,000, with more to come

NEW ORLEANS – On a day Steve Asmussen could look back over the remarkable breadth of his career, when he became the third trainer with 1,000 stakes wins, there was plenty of hope for the future on display at Fair Grounds.

Finite won her fourth race in a row and second straight two-turn dirt stakes when she landed the $150,000 Silverbulletday Stakes on Saturday. She’ll go on to start Feb. 15 at Fair Grounds in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes, while the 3-year-old colt Silver State showed more than enough finishing second in the Lecomte, his two-turn debut, to get a shot Feb. 15 in the Risen Star Stakes, Asmussen said.

Asmussen also unveiled a first-time starter named Echo Town, whose six-furlong time of 1:09.39 in a six-furlong maiden win produced a robust 92 Beyer Speed Figure. Earner, another Asmussen firster, finished second to Echo Town and is expected to appreciate added distance in subsequent races.

Silver State ran well at 6 1/2 furlongs and a one-turn mile in his two starts last year at age 2, and he had a more eventful trip in the Lecomte than victorious Enforceable, who had a considerable experience edge. Silver State stumbled at the start and raced from farther behind the pace than might have been expected. Silver State hit flat spots around the three-furlong marker and in midstretch before kicking late and gaining on the winner.

“Hats off to the winner, who I thought ran a really good race, but I was proud of my horse and pleased it looks like the distance isn’t going to be an issue for him,” Asmussen said. “There was a whole bunch of new for an extremely large colt who has shown great talent. I’m very happy with how he came out of it, and the Risen Star is next for him.”

It was Finite who gave Asmussen stakes win No. 1,000, showing her typical grit capturing the Silverbulletday by a neck over Ursula, who improved substantially in her first two-turn race and dug in gamely on the lead. Tempers Rising, who had to close into a slow pace, finished fastest and was third, a head behind Ursula.

As she had in the Golden Rod Stakes last fall, Finite got to the winner’s circle through a show of heart. She ran one mile and 70 yards in 1:42.73 and got an 80 Beyer.

“Physically, she’s continued to develop, and mentally, she’s met every challenge,” Asmussen said.

Expect the top three finishers to meet again in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes.

Echo Town, by Speightstown, stalked the pace and won off by 2 1/2 lengths.

“It’s quite obvious he’s a very talented sprinter,” Asmussen said. “There are several lucrative opportunities for a horse with his ability.”