Racing
Asmussen Trio Begins Breeders' Cup Preparations
October 3, 2022A talented trio of runners from the barn of trainer Steve Asmussen began the Keeneland portion of their preparation for the 39th Breeders’ Cup World Championships here Nov. 4-5 by working easy half-miles on their own early Sunday morning over a fast track.
First was J. Kirk and Judy Robison’s champion Jackie’s Warrior, who covered the distance in :49.80 with exercise rider Wilson Fabian aboard. A five-time Grade 1 winner, the 4-year-old Jackie’s Warrior is considered the probable favorite for the $2 million Qatar Racing Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1).
In Asmussen’s next set, Fabian was aboard Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Runhappy Travers (G1) winner Epicenter, who completed the half-mile in :51. Epicenter, one of the leading contenders for champion 3-year-old male honors, is being pointed to the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).
In the same set, Stonestreet Stables’ two-time Grade 1 winner Clairiere worked a half-mile in :49.80 with exercise rider Carmen Rosas aboard. One of the leading contenders for the Eclipse Award as champion older dirt female, the 4-year-old Clairiere is being pointed to the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1).
The three runners have accounted for 19 graded stakes victories – eight of them Grade 1s – in their careers for combined earnings of more than $7.6 million.