Red Route One likely for Charles Town Classic

Red Route One is under serious consideration for the Grade 2, $1 million Charles Town Classic following his recent win in the Grade 3 Cornhusker at Prairie Meadows, according to his trainer, Steve Asmussen.

Red Route One was up for a half-length win over stablemate Unload in the Cornhusker, a 1 1/8-mile race held July 6. The Charles Town Classic will be run over the same distance Aug. 23.

“We’ll consider a couple of spots for him, but probably the most likely is the Charles Town Classic,” Asmussen said.

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Asmussen trains Red Route One for his breeder, Winchell Thoroughbreds. The 4-year-old won his second graded stakes of the year in the Cornhusker, after taking the Grade 2 New Orleans Classic in March at Fair Grounds. The success has pushed Red Route One’s earnings past $1.8 million.

“Obviously, he’s a quality horse that’s gotten better with age, like you expect the Gun Runners to do,” Asmussen said. “And he’s run some excellent races recently.”

Red Route One earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 101 in the New Orleans Classic and came back and put up a 100 Beyer when third in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap in April.

As for Unload, the 4-year-old could make his next start at Remington Park following his promising stakes debut in the Cornhusker. He set the pace and fought on to the wire against his more seasoned stablemate Red Route One and like that one is a son of Gun Runner who races for his breeder, Winchell Thoroughbreds.

“He seems to be putting it together as a 4-year-old,” Asmussen said.

“The Governor’s Cup at Remington will most likely be his next race.”

The 1 1/8-mile stakes for 3-year-olds and up highlights the opening night card Aug. 16.

Asmussen also has another runner eyeing upcoming stakes at Remington in Ring Seeker, who has won stakes in each of his two career starts. Both came in restricted races at Lone Star Park.

Ring Seeker won the Staunch Avenger division of the Texas Stallion Stakes in June and the colts and geldings division of the Texas Thoroughbred Association Futurity in July.

“He traveled to Remington and he’ll probably try open company in his next start, the Kip Deville,” said Asmussen.

The $75,000 race for 2-year-olds at six furlongs is on the Oklahoma Derby undercard Sept. 29.

Ring Seeker is a son of Too Much Bling who races for his breeder, W.S. Farish.

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