Asmussen offers progress report on Ky. Derby, Oaks favorites

Louisville, Ky.

If he was feeling the effects of the lack of sleep brought on by his overnight drive from Hot Springs, Ark., to Louisville, Ky., Steve Asmussen did a masterful job hiding signs of fatigue as he held court outside his Churchill Downs barn on Sunday morning.

It helped, of course, that waiting for the Hall of Fame trainer at the end of his eight-hour journey were a couple of sources of motivation that would elevate the mood of anyone who conditions Thoroughbreds for a living.

If pressure is a privilege, then Asmussen is living his best life. North America’s all-time winningest trainer put likely Kentucky Derby favorite Epicenter and leading Kentucky Oaks challenger Echo Zulu through their penultimate works in advance of their respective tests, with each breezing in company at Churchill Downs early Sunday morning.

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Making the drive from Oaklawn Park has been routine of late for Asmussen, who departed that venue after Super Stock’s fourth-place finish in the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) Saturday evening to ensure he was on hand to witness the most serious of works for his two leading sophomore contenders.

Unbeaten champion Echo Zulu, winner of the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) in her seasonal bow, was first to the track, heading out just after 5:15 a.m. EDT. In her third move beneath the Twin Spires, the daughter of Gun Runner breezed six furlongs in 1:11.80 inside of regular workmate King Ottoman, posting spits of 12.20 seconds, 23.80, 35.60, 47.40 and galloping out in 1:25.20 and 1:39.80.

Epicenter appeared in the next set and also went six furlongs in company, clocking splits of 13 seconds, 24.40, 35.80, and 47.20 outside of Gun It before finishing on even terms in 1:12.20 and galloping out in 1:26.20.

“Significant works for us. It’s following a pattern we are very comfortable with, and we love the rhythm these horses are in,” Asmussen said. “They both started out as tremendous prospects and individuals, and I think that what we’re aiming for with them is incremental improvement. We don’t want to take too big a leap forward, so everything is a building block to success. And since they have arrived here at Churchill, that trend has continued.

“I was so excited with Echo Zulu’s first work here – this is her third work here now – but she had never been here before. She had left straight from Keeneland to Saratoga then went to Belmont to California. So, I love how she went to the track.”

Since breaking his maiden at second asking at Churchill Downs ON Nov. 13, Epicenter has stamped himself among the most talented members of his generation with victories in the Risen Star Stakes (G2) and Louisiana Derby (G2). Owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds, the son of Not This Time showed in the Louisiana Derby that he is tactical enough to rate if circumstances deem that necessary. He also has been flattered by the exploits of his beaten rivals, with Risen Star third-place finisher Zandon coming back to win the Blue Grass Stakes (G1).

“He takes everything he does with a great amount of ease and has always maintained a very forward step,” Asmussen said of Epicenter. “I think from last fall to him arriving here, you can tell the difference in his confidence level and his demeanor, from being an attractive horse who was a good mover to a horse who looks a lot more mature and confident.”

Epicenter has the foundation of three outings under his belt this season, but Echo Zulu will try to annex the Kentucky Oaks in what will be her second start of 2022.

Also owned by Winchell in partnership with L and N Racing, Echo Zulu was freshened following a brilliant 2-year-old campaign that saw her win all four of her efforts, including three Grade 1 triumphs, capped off by a 5 1/4-length score in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. Where her front-running ways previously had been untested, Echo Zulu got on her belly and fought in the Fair Grounds Oaks, holding off Hidden Connection to win by a nose.

“Echo Zulu went a little quicker (Sunday), and that was by design,” said Ron Winchell of Winchell Thoroughbreds. “But both (Echo Zulu and Epicenter) looked phenomenal. Just happy to get these works behind us. It’s always one of those moments where you’re two works out from the Derby and you kind of hold your breath a little bit. You want to get it done and get it done where they look great, and that’s exactly what they did.”

Both Echo Zulu and Epicenter will have their final works at Churchill Downs next weekend.