Asmussen, Baze Sweep Ellis Park Juvenile and Debutante

A weather delay at Ellis Park couldn't keep Steve Asmussen's team and jockey Tyler Baze out of the winner's circle Aug. 18 as they swept the day's co-features: the $84,795 TwinSpires Ellis Park Juvenile Stakes and $95,500 TwinSpires Ellis Park Debutante Stakes.

"It was a great day," said Baze, who is in his first year riding full-time in Kentucky. "Steve has given me opportunities, we're trying to do the best we can. Winning three today for him was pretty big. We needed that. Just very fortunate to be in the position I'm in and enjoying it."

Baze also rode Asmussen-trained Dark Arden to win the second race.

L and N Racing's Rowdy Yates found clear weather and running in the Juvenile, giving his owners and Hall of Fame trainer their third win in the race in four years.

"He's a nice horse, a very good horse—right spot for him at the right time," Asmussen said. "I think L and N and the Ellis Park Juvenile have gotten along really well the last few years. That's a pretty good streak."

"It's pretty cool to win that race three times, same owners," said Mitch Dennison, who runs Asmussen's Ellis Park division. "They're always very supportive of Steve, and we've won a lot of races with them. This horse, coming from Churchill Downs, shipped in nice, schooled good. Steve said keep him quiet, and obviously he showed what he is today."

L and N won the Ellis Park Juvenile in 2016 with Lookin At Lee, who finished second in the following year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands, and in 2018 with Tobacco Road.

Sent off as the 2-1 favorite, Rowdy Yates led every step of the seven furlongs. The Morning Line colt set opening fractions of :22.39 and :45.55 through a half-mile, while Night Time, Letmeno, and Jersey Town Angel battled for position behind him.

While the order changed behind him, Rowdy Yates drew clear in the stretch, running six furlongs in 1:09.96 before hitting the wire in a final time of 1:22.70 on a fast track. The dark bay/brown was clear by 2 1/4 lengths.

Letmeno, Night Time, Jersey Town Angel, Axiomo, Two Last Words, and Alec and Arthur completed the order of finish as the field spread out down the stretch.

Rowdy Yates was bred in Oklahoma by Tracy Rene Strachan. He is the first and only foal out of the Yes It's True mare Spring Station. Consigned by Susan M. Forrester, Rowdy Yates was a $42,000 purchase in 2018 at The October Sale, Fasig-Tipton's fall yearling sale in Lexington, Ky.

Asmussen unveiled Rowdy Yates May 31 at Churchill Downs, where the 2-year-old won by 4 3/4 lengths going 5 1/2 furlongs. He was second throughout the six-furlong Bashford Manor Stakes (G3) June 29, beaten by three-quarters of a length. The Ellis Park Juvenile victory improved Rowdy Yates' earnings to $100,198.

"I think he got significantly better from his last race," co-owner Mike Levinson said. "You look at the fractions and he went pretty fast, wire-to-wire. We're just really excited and happy to move forward with him. Jump one fence and you get another one for him."

Asmussen said Rowdy Yates has multiple options moving forward, including Oklahoma-bred stakes at Remington Park. Levinson indicated he'd be interested in considering the Sept. 14 Iroquois Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs, a "Win and You're In" challenge race for the Nov. 1 TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Santa Anita Park.

The Debutante was scheduled only 30 minutes later but was pushed back an extra 20 minutes as a storm rolled in. The fillies were behind the starting gate and ready to load when they were sent back to the paddock. High winds stirred up dirt on the track as umbrellas on the apron were blown over the rail.

Clearsky Farms homebred Green Destiny was not bothered by the adjusted schedule. After waiting out the deluge in the paddock, the fillies returned straight to the starting gate. Baze was aboard Green Destiny, who at odds of 6-1, broke on top to lead an opening quarter-mile in :22.61. Monedas de Oro briefly took the lead by a head and ran a half-mile in :46.49, but Green Destiny took command again in the stretch.

"She's maturing," Baze said. "She relaxed really well today. When I called upon her, she gave it to me. You always wonder how, especially 2-year-olds, are going to handle (the storm delay). But she was very professional. Didn't seem to bother her. I just go out and ride these horses with confidence, and she showed up for me today."

The Super Saver  filly opened up on the others as she ran six furlongs in 1:12.37 and was four lengths in front when she completed seven furlongs in 1:26.21. The track was rated fast.

"When they show a lot of potential like that, you don't hesitate to put them in stakes," Dennison said. "Everything we've asked of her, she's continued to progress. She's got a good head on her. Physically, mentally, that's 90% of the challenge."

Monedas de Oro stayed on for second at 60-1, with His Glory, Baileston Lassie, Secretly Wicked, Don't Mine Me, Spitefulness, Dixie Mo, and Milli Starr completing the order of finish. Lady Glamour was bumped and bothered at the start and eased in the stretch. Top Hat Charmer was eased and walked off.

The slow time of the Debutante left Asmussen wondering how to evaluate the race. Ellis Park officials said they will double-check the time to confirm accuracy.

"Did the weather change the track that much?" Asmussen asked. "The X factor of the delay and the wind, how much did that adjust the time? It makes it very hard to evaluate the race going forward. I think we're very pleased that she's a stakes winner. We know she's a quality filly. I love how she stayed on going seven-eighths. But did the track change that much, or the conditions in which the race was run change that much?"

Green Destiny is a Kentucky-bred and the second foal out of the stakes-winning Bandini mare Defy Gravity, who also has a yearling Into Mischief  filly and Uncle Mo  filly born March 24. Defy Gravity was bred to Bolt d'Oro  for the 2020 foaling season.

On debut June 21 at Churchill Downs, Green Destiny finished fifth after being checked hard in the turn. She rebounded July 14 at Ellis Park to prevail by three-quarters of a length after dueling throughout the six furlongs. The bay filly has earned $91,560.

Asmussen said the Sept. 14 Pocahontas Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs, a "Win and You're In" challenge race for the Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), is likely next for Green Destiny if she trains well.

Video: TwinSpires Ellis Park Juvenile S. (BT)

Video: TwinSpires Ellis Park Debutante S. (BT)