Steve Asmussen has trained more than 11,000 winners, a North American record that will never be broken. He has at least one trophy from just about every important race except for the one he wants most -- the Kentucky Derby (G1). He's 0-for-28 in the Run for the Roses, with three second-place finishes and two thirds.
He’ll try again in Derby 152 on May 2 with Chip Honcho, who moved into the field limited to 20 horses following the defection of several 3-year-olds with more Derby qualifying points. He ran in all four Derby preps at Fair Grounds, winning the Gun Runner Stakes in January and most recently finishing fifth in the Louisiana Derby (G2).
Four years ago, Steve Asmussen thought his standout colt Epicenter had made the winning move in the final furlong. When 80-1 shot Rich Strike came flying late to steal the victory in the final strides, Asmussen was devastated.
“I was unbelievably disappointed,” he said. “I can't believe it after Epicenter's effort. I thought it was ours this year. I really did.”
The 60-year-old Hall of Famer is back this year with longshot Chip Honcho, who's 0-for-3 as a 3-year-old in graded stakes at the Fair Grounds. After running fourth in the Lecomte Stakes (G3), he finished second in the Risen Star Stakes (G2) and fifth as the 2-1 favorite in the Louisiana Derby. His speed figures are unimpressive, and his stamina is a major question mark after losing ground in the final furlong of all those stakes.
He also totaled only 49 Derby qualifying points, 16th on the list following the defection of several horses with more points.
“It was a disappointing Louisiana Derby, a step backward that we weren't expecting," Asmussen said. "But he's been training well since we got to Churchill Downs. We're looking to get more consistency from him. He's a large horse who carries a lot of weight, and I like his durability. There are great races ahead for him.”
Chip Honcho has an Equibase rating of 84, the second lowest of the Derby contenders, and his top Equibase speed figure is 98 from the Risen Star.
It's hard to make a case for Chip Honcho because of his stamina limitations. He should be in the mix for the early lead but expect him to be a pace casualty. Don't bet on him.
- Chip Honcho breezed 5 furlongs in 59.80 seconds on April 18 at Churchill Downs.
- Steve Asmussen's parents, Keith and Marilyn, patriarch and matriarch of a three-generation racing dynasty, are longtime operators of a distinguished breeding and racing facility in Laredo, Texas. Steve's older brother, Cash, won the 1979 Eclipse Award for leading apprentice before earning five riding titles in France. Steve's sons Keith and Erik are promising young riders.
- Steve Asmussen has trained eight champions -- Curlin, Rachel Alexandra, Echo Zulu, Epicenter, Gun Runner, Kodiak Kowboy, My Miss Aurelia and Untapable. Curlin (2007, 2008), Rachel Alexandra (2009) and Gun Runner (2017) were voted Horse of the Year.
Ed McNamara is an award-winning racing writer who has covered the sport since 1981 for The Bergen (N.J.) Record, Newsday, ESPN, Thorocap, and USRacing. He is the author of Cajun Racing: From the Bush Tracks to the Triple Crown and Racing Around the World, and a contributor to The Most Glorious Crown and The Racetracks of America. He has also written for racing publications in France and Italy.
