Turfway track report

FLORENCE, Ky. - It was one year ago that Golden Oldie hit the top of the Turfway Park race charts. A five-length romp by Golden Oldie in the Dust Commander Stakes gave David Asbury perhaps the greatest thrill of his training career.

"He ran a great race that day," said Asbury. "I'd have to say it was one of my best days in this business."

Golden Oldie will attempt to give Asbury a similar feeling when the 7-year-old horse returns in the $50,000 Dust Commander at Turfway. A full field of 12 older horses was entered in the 1 1/16-mile race.

Golden Oldie is owned by Hammerdown Stables, a partnership headed by Scott Asbury, the trainer's cousin. Hammerdown bought Golden Oldie from Mary Lou Cashman after the horse ran poorly at Kentucky Downs in September. Since then, Golden Oldie has rounded back to form and enters the Dust Commander off a fourth-place finish in the 6 1/2-furlong Forego Stakes.

"He's going into this really good," said Asbury, 47, who trains at his Bethel, Ohio, farm and was instrumental in helping standout apprentice rider John McKee get his career started. "He likes Turfway and the cold weather. I just think he comes around real well at this time of year."

Probably the main threats to Golden Oldie are Horrible Evening, Private Horde, and Fight for Ally.

Horrible Evening, a well-traveled New Jersey-bred who won 4 of 7 starts last year, figures to be on or near the lead most of the way. In his last start, he led to midstretch in the Louisiana Handicap at Fair Grounds before settling for third.

Private Horde is a 4-year-old who captured the Forego three weeks ago and retains leading jockey Jason Lumpkins. Trained by Joe Cain, Private Horde also has plenty of early speed and figures prominently from the opening bell.

Fight for Ally also tends to show speed when he runs his best. Trained by Elliott Walden, Fight for Ally most recently dominated a $50,000 claiming route at Turfway.

The Dust Commander, named for the 1970 Kentucky Derby winner, dates to 1980, when Phillip J.C. won for trainer Dennis Freking. Two horses have won back-to-back runnings: Good Ole Master in 1983-84 and Air Craft in 1995-96.