Rolling Sea keys big day for Asmussen

NEW ORLEANS - Steve Asmussen won his fifth race of Saturday's card when Rolling Sea used a powerful stretch move to beat heavily favored Bear Now by 5 1/2 lengths in the $60,000 Truly Bound Handicap at Fair Grounds. Asmussen finished the day with six wins.

Bear Now, racing for the first time since her eighth-place finish in the Breeder's Cup Ladies' Classic, stalked pacesetter Adhrhythm in the early going. Bear Now moved forward and got a head in front of Adhrhythm on the turn, but Rolling Sea soon took over. Adhrhythm held on for third place.

Piloted by Shaun Bridgmohan, Rolling Sea went the 1 1/16 miles in a stakes record 1:44.05, and returned $6 to win.

It was Rolling Sea's second stakes victory in a row following a layoff.

"She had gone home to the farm, but now she's back to being herself and running her race," said Asmussen. "She's always had an affinity for the Fair Grounds."

The victory takes Rolling Sea's bankroll past $700,000 for her owner, Millenium Farms.

Asmussen, who leads the Fair Grounds trainer standings, tied his own record for number of wins on a Fair Grounds card. In two races on Saturday, Asmussen horses ran one-two. Bridgmohan was aboard for four of the wins.