Kentucky Oaks Prospect Finite Resumes Breezing

Finite, the third-ranked 3-year-old filly on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks Leaderboard with 80 qualifying points, recorded her first workout since a fourth in the March 21 Twinspires.com Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) when she breezed a half-mile in :50 1/5 July 3 at Churchill Downs.

The four-time stakes-winning daughter of Munnings  underwent ankle surgery this spring, according to Horse Racing Nation, following a subpar performance in the Fair Grounds Oaks, in which she lacked her customary finish and was beaten 4 1/2 lengths by Bonny South. Prior to that loss, she had rattled off five consecutive victories, including the Feb. 15 Rachel Alexandra Stakes presented by Fasig-Tipton (G2) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots and last fall's Golden Rod Stakes (G2) at Churchill.

Bred in Kentucky by Winchell Thoroughbreds, who owns her in partnership with Thomas Reiman, William Dickson and Deborah Easter, she has made $654,349.

Asked of the timing for her next race and whether the Longines Kentucky Oaks Sept. 4 at Churchill could still be a viable option, Asmussen responded, "She'll tell us."

Other Asmussen stakes runners have more definitive plans over the next month at Keeneland or Saratoga Race Course. Some of his likely starters next week at Keeneland include Basin in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2), Alta's Award in the Central Bank Ashland Stakes (G1), Mia Mischief in the Madison Stakes (G2)—those three races July 11—and Henley's Joy in the TVG Elkorn Stakes (G2T) July 12.

Jackpot Farm's Basin, winner of last year's Runhappy Hopeful Stakes (G1), breezed five furlongs in 1:00 3/5 June 29 at Keeneland. His last race was a runner-up finish behind Charlatan in a division of the Arkansas Derby (G1) May 2 at Oaklawn Park.

"He went well over the racetrack," said Asmussen. "He's done well with his little freshening since the Arkansas Derby."

Some of Asmussen's other top horses recently left Churchill Downs for Saratoga, led by champion Midnight Bisou and the exciting sprinter Volatile, the trainer said. Midnight Bisou is being pointed toward the Personal Ensign Stakes (G1) there Aug. 1 while Volatile is aimed toward the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (G1) July 25.

Both horses won stakes at Churchill Downs last month, with Midnight Bisou taking the Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2) June 27 and Volatile the June 6 Aristides Stakes in stakes-record time by covering six furlongs in 1:07.57. Volatile last breezed June 21, covering a half-mile in :51 3/5 at Churchill Downs.