Asmussen strives for 'spacing' on Finite's way to Kentucky Oaks

Just before horses entered the paddock Saturday for the Golden Rod Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs, the “Big Board” video screen overlooking the track replayed Untapable’s 2014 Kentucky Oaks victory.

Trainer Steve Asmussen likened it to an “inspirational speech” given the Golden Rod’s status as an Oaks points prep. After all, he also trained Untapable for owner/breeder Winchell Thoroughbreds.

Finite, another of their charges, minutes later captured the Golden Rod, marking her second straight win at Churchill Downs following an Oct. 27 victory in the Rags to Riches Stakes.

“She’d been pretty well-regarded,” David Fiske, racing manager for Ron Winchell, said in an interview provided by the Kentucky HPBA. “I don’t think that she was as well-regarded as some of the other 2-year-olds earlier in the year. We wouldn’t have sold half of her if we thought she was as good as some of the other ones we had.

“But I’m glad it turned out. The partners are great. They’re very enthusiastic and having the time of their lives.”

A daughter of Munnings who runs in partnership with Thomas Reiman, William Dickson and Deborah Easter, Finite relaxed going two turns under Ricardo Santana Jr. and had enough to hold off hard-charging Motu by a half-length in the slop.

Finite broke her maiden at third asking Sept. 12 at Kentucky Downs — Winchell became co-owner of the Franklin, Ky., turf course recently — but figures to stay on dirt for the time being.

Fiske quipped that she’ll next head to the  “home of all the Oaks winners for the last 10 years,” Fair Grounds. The track’s preps have at least produced the last two Oaks heroines, Monomoy Girl and Serengeti Empress. Untapable also cut her teeth there, winning the Rachel Alexandra (G3) and Fair Grounds Oaks (G2).

“I think with her racing and her professionalism she showed now, it will be a matter of spacing,” Asmussen said of Finite. “Plenty of experience, 2-for-2 here at Churchill Downs, I would expect to want the Oaks to probably be her third run next year.”