Cash Asmussen at Del Mar

Del Mar racing can claim a bit of an international flavor these days as Cash Asmussen, five-time champion rider in France, has five horses he's training at the seashore. And he's not wasting any time, either, figuring to run Fortunia, a 3-year-old filly either in Saturday's Osunitas Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on the Jimmy Durante Turf or Sunday's Grade II, $150,000 San Clemente Handicap at a mile on turf.

Asmussen, whose younger brother Steve has trained consecutive Horses of the Year Curlin and the filly Rachel Alexandra, has been training for about seven years, mostly on the Texas circuit. He retired from riding 10 years ago and returned to his home state of Texas where he and his father operate El Primero Training Center in Laredo.

Asmussen was the 1979 Eclipse Award winner as America's top apprentice. He rode in France from 1982 to 2000, where he was extremely popular with fans and just as successful as a rider.

FIVE-TIME DEL MAR RIDING CHAMP PATRICK VALENZUELA VISITS

Patrick Valenzuela, champion rider five times at the seashore, was a visitor to the backstretch Tuesday morning with his former agent, Tom Knust.

Valenzuela, who last won the riding trophy at Del Mar in 2003, has been riding in New Mexico and Louisiana for the past couple of years. Valenzuela has ridden 59 stakes winners at Del Mar, putting him 10th on the career winner's list.