Oaklawn: Asmussens have Count Fleet 1-2 with Booth, Ryvit

Even though he was locked in a speed duel for the whole race, odds-on favorite Booth held off late-closing Ryvit to give trainer Steve Asmussen and his riding sons the exacta Saturday in the Grade 3, $500,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap at Oaklawn.

Always expected to set the pace, Booth (2-5) was met with a head-to-head challenge from Anarchist (7-1) through early fractions of 21.87 and 44.66 seconds in the six-furlong race.

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In the homestretch, Booth had to withstand the late challenge from Ryvit, who rallied down the middle of the fast main track only to come up three-quarters of a length short.

With Erik Asmussen riding to his first graded-stakes win, Booth finished with a time of 1:09.82. Ryvit was ridden to second place by Keith Asmussen. Anarchist was another head back holding on for third. Happy American (31-1) rallied to within a half-length of hitting the board and finished fourth. It was another head back to Tejano Twist (5-1) in fifth. Devil’s Tower (15-1) and Payne (12-1) completed the finish in that order.

Booth paid $2.80, $2.20 and $2.10; Ryvit $11.60 and $6.60; and Anarchist $4.60.

Making his fourth straight start in a stakes but his first against graded company, Booth collected his third consecutive victory. The 4-year-old Mitole colt owned by William and Corinne Heiligbrodt, Jackpot Farm and Whispering Oaks Farm was a $225,000 purchase at an Ocala Breeders’ Sale auction in March 2023.

Booth is 10: 6-0-0 and has been aimed for the True North (G3) on Belmont Stakes day June 7 at Saratoga.