NEW ORLEANS – Lord knows how many times Steve Asmussen has driven the 500 miles separating Fair Grounds Racecourse and Oaklawn Park. Every winter, back and forth, back and forth, between his strings at the two tracks.

The miles add up – hundreds of thousands – a man who has spent a lifetime consumed with horses still fiercely driven by work.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Saffie Joseph Jr. has already all but sewed up yet another Gulfstream Park Championship meet training title, but he still has plenty of business to attend to before the session ends on March 29.

Joseph will be at his busiest in the paddock late Sunday afternoon, having entered four fillies to go up against the prohibitive favorite Lennilu in the Melody of Colors Stakes, a five-furlong turf sprint for 3-year-old fillies. The group is led by the once-beaten Mystical Belle and also includes Jetty’s Holme, Canton, and Secane.

Who’s Hot

Incredibolt rebounded from his non-effort in the Grade 3 Holy Bull with a professional victory, albeit against modest company, in last Saturday’s Virginia Derby. He did go 2 for 2 at Churchill last year with a stakes victory and will now train up to the Kentucky Derby.

Streisand, the Southern Hemisphere 2-year-old filly, has already won a seven-figure race in Australia this year, in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne on Feb. 21.

The manner of her victory in that six-furlong race, stalking the pace and winning by three-quarters of a length, has pushed Streisand to the fore of contenders in Saturday’s Group 1 Golden Slipper Stakes at six furlongs at Rosehill Gardens in Sydney.

Chip Honcho

Colt by Connect – Miss My Rose, by Magician

Bred in Kentucky by Venneri Racing and Tony Fanticola ($210,000 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky summer yearling purchase by Lee Ackerley)

Martha Claussen has spent 29 years championing racing at Sam Houston Race Park since the track brought her on as publicity director in 1997. On Saturday, her efforts will be lauded during the Texas Champions Day card in Houston.

Claussen is being honored after the fourth race. It’s the first time in a long while she’s not actively promoting the program. Claussen stepped away from her duties this meet for two reasons.

Goodall emerged from the $150,000 Purple Martin on Saturday at Oaklawn Park with the year’s co-highest Beyer Speed Figure for a 3-year-old filly. She earned a 94, the same number Grade 3 winner Mythical put up Saturday taking the Any Limit at Gulfstream Park.

The Purple Martin was one of two sprint stakes on the Oaklawn card, which also featured the Grade 3, $250,000 Whitmore for 4-year-olds and up. Goodall zipped six furlongs in 1:08.78, as she powered to a 4 1/2-length win. It was one of the fastest times for the distance this meet at Oaklawn.

ARCADIA, Calif. – The early pick five Friday at Santa Anita offers appeal for two groups of bettors – those aiming for a modest score, and those who appreciate maiden races.

The 14 percent takeout, 50-cent pick five covers races 1 through 5. Four of the races are for maidens, including three maiden special weights, with a likely winner in the opening leg and a well-meant debut runner in the finale. Both are potential singles.