Asmussen back at Ellis Park

Asmussen back with full division
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HENDERSON, Ky. (July 2, 2016) — Among the major outfits that will be stabled at Ellis Park this meet is new Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen.

Asmussen’s 7,338 career victories through Friday trail only the late Dale Baird’s 9,445 among trainers. His $234.7 million in purses ranks No. 4 all time. The trainer’s 158 victories this year — No. 2 nationally behind Karl Broberg’s 205 — includes the Belmont Stakes and Arkansas Derby with Creator and the Louisiana Derby with Gun Runner. Asmussen had 15 horses entered at five tracks in four states Saturday, though he scratched one of two running on Ellis’ opening card.

The 50-year-old Texan in recent years has had a larger presence at Indiana Grand and would ship horses over from Churchill Downs to run at Ellis. But the more lucrative pots Ellis is offering this summer is a game-changer, with most of his 30 Ellis-bound horses already on the grounds. Many came from Indiana Grand.

“It’s been 10, 15 years or better,” Asmussen said of the last time he had a division stabled at Ellis. “I don’t want to date myself, but it’s been awhile.

“Obviously supplementing the purses is attractive. I’ve got several horses that are ready to run, and it’s a pretty good financial opportunity for them at Ellis. The higher purses will help the better races fill.”

Asmussen headed into Saturday night’s closing Churchill Downs card still mathematically in the hunt to win the training title, his 14 wins through Friday five behind co-leaders Mike Maker and Mark Casse. But Asmussen, who was to run six horses at Churchill, easily leads for the most seconds at 25, the next highest being Maker’s 15.

Playing those runners-up will be a big betting angle wherever they run next, though you probably won’t get much price.

“I cannot believe the 25 seconds I have, and 20 of them are by a half-length or less,” Asmussen said. “It’s just ridiculous. I mean, we had six horses the week before last that I guarantee you were less than a neck back.

“I will have had a great meet no matter what, especially also winning the Belmont,” said Asmussen, who on April 25 was announced as being inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. “If we win the Bashford Manor (with Tip Tap Tapizar) and Debutante (Tricky One), it will be an almost-perfect meet.”

The almost reference? He was third in the Kentucky Derby with Gun Runner.

Another prominent Churchill Downs-based trainer expecting to have a sizable presence is Brad Cox, who ultimately expects to have 15 or 20 horses at Ellis in addition to full strings in Louisville and at Saratoga.

“We paid the stall rent at Keeneland (for off-season training), so we’re going to utilize that until we can’t anymore,” he said. “But we’ll take some down there in a few weeks.”