Indiana Downs: Thiskyhasnolimit faces softer company in Golden Bear

Thiskyhasnolimit returns to Indiana looking for his second win of the season in the $100,000 Golden Bear at Indiana Downs on Wednesday evening.

The 4-year-old Thiskyhasnolimit will be in a non-graded event for the first time this year. After a fourth-place finish in the Grade 2 San Fernando, Thiskyhasnolimit was given two months off by trainer Steve Asmussen before a second-place finish, beaten only a half-length, in the Grade 3 Razorback Handicap at Oaklawn Park on March 12. He then won the Grade 3 Texas Mile at Lone Star Park on April 23, earning a 103 Beyer Speed Figure, the highest lifetime Beyer of any horse in the Golden Bear field. In his most recent out May 30, Thiskyhasnolimit was well beaten in the Grade 3 Lone Star Park Handicap going 1 1/16 miles, the same distance as the Golden Bear.

Scott Blasi, long time Asmussen assistant, said he is not concerned with that effort.

“He got off at an angle at the start and just didn’t have a smooth race,” Blasi said. “We know he is capable of running a big race and I think he will.”

There is not an abundance of early speed in the Golden Bear, but that is not a concern for team Asmussen either.

“I think as long as he gets away clear, he can stay closer, he is doing really good right now and I don’t think that will be a problem,” Blasi said.

Thiskyhasnolimit finished second last year in the Grade 2 Indiana Derby at Hoosier Park to Lookin At Lucky in only previous start in Indiana. Jamie Theriot will ride once again.

◗ Buster Brown will try two turns and the turf for the first time in the $84,000 the Governor’s (race 8).

Trained by Mike Maker, Buster Rose will be going for his third consecutive win the one-mile turf event that drew eight 3-year-old Indiana-bred colts and geldings, including an entry. In his only two outings this season, Buster Rose won his maiden race May 20 locally by 5 1/2 lengths in handy fashion. In the Snack on June 11, he bested seven other Indiana-bred 3-year-olds by 2 1/4 lengths, this time ridden out. Tommy Pompell retains the mount.

Baltersan, K Run, Slew City Boy, Bellamy Jones, Stormin Ferdie, and the entry of Ellenberger Park and Purely Amature are also entered.