Senor Jobim has winning connections

Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen and Three Chimneys Farm have teamed for some success at Churchill Downs, to say the least. Horse of the Year Gun Runner, trained by Asmussen and co-owned by Three Chimneys, won two Grade 1 races beneath the twin spires.

The stakes are much lower, but those connections are together again with Senor Jobim in a $55,000 conditioned allowance that anchors Wednesday’s nine-race card at Churchill Downs.

Senor Jobim, by Distorted Humor, was bred by WinStar Farm. The colt was a $1.53 million purchase at the 2015 Keeneland September yearling sale, due to his excellent breeding. Out of Grade 2 winner Forest Music, he is a half-brother to Grade 3 winner Kentuckian, and also a full brother to Maclean’s Music, who was trained by Asmussen and earned a 114 Beyer Figure in his only start.

By the time Senor Jobim finally debuted last July at Ellis Park, Maclean’s Music was a classic sire, with Preakness Stakes winner Cloud Computing emerging from his first crop. Senor Jobim finished third that day at Ellis. After a lengthy break, he came out to win an Oaklawn Park maiden by 2 1/2 lengths. Both starts came at six furlongs. He extends the distance to 6 1/2 furlongs Wednesday.

Ricardo Santana Jr., who came into the Churchill Downs meet on a roll, has the mount on Senor Jobim. Santana passed the 1,000-win milestone in April at Oaklawn, and earned his sixth consecutive Oaklawn riding title.

Asmussen, meanwhile, won the Oaklawn training title.

Among the other top contenders in the Wednesday allowance is Bourbon Country, who has had a sparse racing career. He started once in June 2016 and once in May 2017 before finally putting together consecutive starts this year. He made his 4-year-old debut in February and finished second by a neck, then came back to win a maiden race by 3 1/4 lengths at Fair Grounds. Florent Geroux, aboard for both those outings, has the call again for trainer Eddie Kenneally.

Wednesday’s card also includes a $55,000 turf allowance for fillies and mares. Ladrona comes into the race off consecutive victories at Gulfstream Park for trainer Brian Lynch.