Track Phantom rekindles memories of Epicenter

One wouldn’t want to force the point, but similarities exist between a retired 4-year-old named Epicenter and the 2-year-old colt Track Phantom.

Epicenter made two starts around one turn before stepping forward in his third outing to sharply win a route race. Steve Asmussen trained Epicenter, and Asmussen also trains Track Phantom.

Both horses made their stakes debut in the Gun Runner at Fair Grounds, and both won well. Epicenter about a month later was upset by a nose in the Lecomte Stakes before going on to capture the Risen Star and Louisiana Derby and finish a tough-luck second to Rich Strike in the Kentucky Derby. And Track Phantom, in January at least, probably will be following the same path.

Asmussen on Sunday said that Track Phantom appeared to have exited his Gun Runner victory Saturday in good condition, and that if the colt remains on a positive trajectory in January, he’s likely to race again in the $200,000 Lecomte on Jan. 20.

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Epicenter, a Not This Time colt, campaigned for Winchell Thoroughbreds. Track Phantom, by Quality Road, races for L & N Racing, Clark Brewster, Jerry Caroom, and Breeze Easy. Epicenter was making his third start in the Gun Runner, while Track Phantom ran three times in Kentucky this fall, clearing the maiden ranks on Nov. 26.

Epicenter clocked 1:44.19 for 1 1/16 miles in his Gun Runner and got an 87 Beyer, the best number of his 2-year-old season. Track Phantom was timed in 1:44.42 and got an 89 Beyer, also his best so far.

Asmussen was most impressed with Track Phantom’s ability to hold clear a couple of talented rivals, Snead and Nash, after dueling through an opening half-mile in a blazing 46.93 seconds. Jockey Cristian Torres was headed for the lead after a good break from the outside, but rail-drawn Next Level rushed up the fence to heat the pace around the first turn.

“For him to hang on like he did was more than impressive,” said Asmussen.

Asmussen, to be clear, was not comparing Track Phantom to anyone. But if Track Phantom does indeed start in the Lecomte, he’ll be the epicenter of attention.

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