“You’re seeing old faces that had abandoned Lone Star come back as well as new faces. People are just running their better stock there, as opposed to the lesser stock that they were able to get away with for those who had split stables.”Īgreed Bret Calhoun: “Texas racing has gained a lot of momentum the last two years. I felt last summer was the best quality of horses they’d had there since the early days of Lone Star, so I thought it required a bit better horse to win the maiden and allowance races. It’s a domino effect, and I think you’ll see more of that this year.” You get better purses, you get better horses, fuller fields. Opening day will include a 25th anniversary hat giveaway as well as a Steve Asmussen milestone celebration. The Hall of Famer comes into the Lone Star meet as North America’s all-time winningest trainer at 9,713 victories through April 18 and counting, with Asmussen quickly pulling away from the late Dale Baird’s 9,445 after breaking the record last Aug. 7 at Saratoga.Īsmussen holds particular affection for Lone Star Park, beyond being the track’s all-time win leader. He and his wife, Julie, have lived in nearby Arlington for years. With all the trials of horse racing now, the agricultural tax that Texas has in place that is supplementing their racing is proving to be very effective.” “All three of the boys were born there in Arlington, about 15 minutes from the racetrack,” said Asmussen, who won 17 races at Lone Star’s inaugural meet in 1997 and his first of 14 training titles two years later, “so it’s been a very special place to us. Indeed, it’s not a coincidence that Asmussen has won Lone Star’s two training titles since the purses have increased, with Broberg taking the crown in 20. Asmussen went 71 for 344 last year after going 50 for 266 in 2020. ![]() “I am blessed with opportunities as far as horses go, and I’m hoping that continues.” “Financial opportunity allows you to run a little more expensive horse,” said Asmussen, who also claimed his 14th Sam Houston trainer’s title earlier this month with 51 wins. ![]() With more money on the table, the competition overall is tougher – and that’s the point, he said. “That’s what we’re hoping for, to build the product as well as the state-bred program there,” Asmussen said from Churchill Downs, where he is preparing Louisiana Derby winner Epicenter for the Kentucky Derby and unbeaten 2-year-old champion filly Echo Zulu for the Kentucky Oaks. ![]() #Canterbury park extreme race day 2018 plus.
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