She’s a Julie, Copper Bullet come back strong for Asmussen

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – She’s a Julie and Copper Bullet are giving trainer Steve Asmussen every reason to believe they are poised for exciting 4-year-old seasons.

She’s a Julie was a determined winner of the Grade 3, $200,000 Bayakoa Stakes last week at Oaklawn Park, withstanding pace pressure and then pulling away late in her first start against older rivals. For the effort, she earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 92.

“I was very proud of her first race back,” Asmussen said. “If anything, I think it was her strongest race to date.

“She could have a huge year this year.”

The Bayakoa was the first start since November for She’s a Julie, who last year at 3 won the Grade 3 Iowa Oaks and Grade 3 Remington Park Oaks and also ran second in the Grade 1 Alabama at Saratoga.

Her effort at Oaklawn came on the same card that Copper Bullet launched his 4-year-old season, in the Grade 3, $500,000 Razorback Handicap. He finished second by a neck and earned a Beyer of 93.

“I thought it was kind of fitting that she ran so well in the Bayakoa and in the next race, in the Razorback, Copper Bullet seems to be back on track,” Asmussen said, “because two years ago, when they were at Churchill, they were probably your favorite 2-year-old filly and your favorite 2-year-old colt – or most impressive. And they breezed together. They broke their maidens about the same time.”

The Oaklawn races were the first time the horses had run at the same meet since the spring of 2017, when Copper Bullet rolled by eight lengths in a maiden special weight at Churchill on May 25 and the next day, She’s a Julie won her debut by 5 1/4 lengths. Fast forward to last week and the Oaklawn performances were validating ones, harking back to the promise both showed at 2.

“Well, you know, you want to be right,” Asmussen said, “and they were just tremendous physicals, and talented, as 2-year-olds. They’ve gone through their little issues and stuff and then for them to be back at such a high level is very satisfying. They’re obviously two very talented horses.”

Copper Bullet, who won the Grade 2 Saratoga Special in 2017, was making his two-turn debut in the Razorback. He broke from the rail in the field of 14 and with every stride in deep stretch was getting to winner Coal Front. The performance impressed Asmussen.

“Copper Bullet – his first two-turn race to be that strong,” he beamed, noting the horse dealt with a “tight post” and stop-and-start traffic in a large, quality field of runners.

“I thought he kept coming.”

Asmussen said plans are being debated for both Copper Bullet, who races for Winchell Thoroughbreds and Willis Horton, and She’s a Julie, who is owned by Bradley Thoroughbreds, Whispering Oaks Farm, Team Hanley, and Madaket Stable.

“It’s to be decided what’s next for the both of them,” Asmussen said last week. “We’ll wait until they go back to the track, look for the same indications they gave us prior to these races.”

And, the same signs both gave off at 2.