Trainer Asmussen Gets 10 Victories in One Day

Trainer Steve Asmussen, the runaway leader nationally in terms of wins this year, had a memorable day Saturday.

Asmussen started 16 horses at different tracks around the country and won with 10 of them.

He picked up victories at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans, where he leads the standings, Delta Downs, Oaklawn Park, Sam Houston and Sunland Park. He had three at Oaklawn and Sunland, two at Delta and one each at the Fair Grounds and Sam Houston.

A winner with five of his first 17 starters at Gulfstream Park, Asmussen has one horse -- Heavenly Helper -- entered on today’s card there. The 3-year-old Boston Harbor filly, who has won once in four starts, could be a factor if she draws into the $16,000 claimer at five furlongs.

With 41 winners from 165 starters at the Fair Grounds through Monday, Asmussen is 19 in front of runner-up Tom Amoss and 21 ahead of William Bret Calhoun.

Another trainer who is running away with a title is Richard Dutrow Jr. He began the week at Aqueduct with 32 winners from 87 starters, putting him 19 in front of Scott Lake and Bruce Levine. Dutrow’s only entrants today at the New York track are Pay Per Win and My Request in the fifth, but only one will start because jockey Aaron Gryder is named to ride both.

Race of the day: Jolie Rafaela, who was third in her U.S. debut for trainer Bobby Frankel on Jan. 11, will stretch out to a mile in today’s seventh, a $56,000 optional claimer on the turf, at Santa Anita. Alex Solis will ride the 5-year-old Trempolino mare, who won twice in seven starts on the turf in her native Brazil.

One for the road: Gates Avenue shortens up for trainer David Donk and hopes for a fast track after foundering in the slop Dec. 17. The 3-year-old Rodeo colt won cleverly the last time he sprinted, so tab in today’s eighth, a $43,000 allowance at six furlongs, at Aqueduct.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Ringading in the fourth, It’s Stevie’s Time, Carla Rose, Indian Blanket and Rowan Express in the fifth and Southern Outlaw, Cee Mister B and Throw Me A Curve in the sixth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 4/106. Money: Previous day/meet total: $15.60/$581.40. Total money bet: $600.