Ascanio disbands stable after stroke

Trainer Humberto Ascanio, a former assistant to Hall of Famer Bobby Frankel, is recovering from the effects of a stroke suffered on Dec. 30 and will at least temporarily disband his 12-horse stable, according to his son, Matthew.

Ascanio, 64, is undergoing rehabilitation at Arcadia Methodist Hospital and has shown improvement in recent days. Initially, Ascanio lost some movement on the right side of his body, but has since shown progress.

“He’s doing a little better,” Matthew Ascanio said on Tuesday evening. “He had a moderate stroke and he’s trying to recuperate. He’s in the rehab part of it. He’s going to have to take some time away.”

It was unclear how long Ascanio would be hospitalized, his son said.  Part of the therapy focuses on improving speech.