Asmussen record watch - six wins needed

For Immediate Release
Friday, November 21, 2008

OKLAHOMA CITY - Steve Asmussen, the leading trainer in North America and in the current Remington Park season, is on the verge of breaking his own record for total wins in a calendar year.

After posting two victories (both at Remington Park) Thursday, the record is within reach considering he has 19 starters at six different racetracks across the continent on Friday.

Asmussen's massive operation goes into Friday action with 550 wins in 2008, He needs five wins to tie the mark of 555 that he set in 2004. The standard could easily fall this weekend.

Remington Park is one of many tracks where Asmussen runners currently compete. He also has horses racing at Aqueduct in New York, Woodbine in Toronto, Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Hawthorne in Chicago, Fair Grounds in New Orleans, Delta Downs in Vinton, La., Retama Park in San Antonio and Zia Park in Hobbs, N.M.

Throughout the afternoon and evening today, Asmussen's operation will start athletes at Woodbine, Hawthorne, Fair Grounds, Delta Downs and Retama Park. He'll start three horses Friday at Remington Park.

The first Asmussen starter will go to the post at Fair Grounds at 12:30 p.m., with the last of his 19 scheduled starters going at 10:06 p.m. at Remington Park. All times are central.

Asmussen is leading the Remington Park trainer standings with 46 wins through 53 dates of racing. He is 15 ahead of Bret Calhoun as he tries to secure his second consecutive title in Oklahoma City and his fifth here overall.

Remington Park's nine-race Friday program begins at 6:30 p.m.