Asmussen Breezes Epicenter, Echo Zulu at Churchill

With less than two weeks remaining until the $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) and $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1), Racing Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen sent out top contenders Epicenter  (six furlongs, 1:12 1/5) and Echo Zulu  (six furlongs, 1:11 4/5) for breezes April 24 at Churchill Downs.

Along with Derby contender Epicenter, Teruya Yoshida's UAE Derby Sponsored by Mubadala (G3) winner Crown Pride  had another tune-up for the Run for the Roses; breezing a half-mile in :49 1/5.

L and N Racing and Winchell Thoroughbreds' undefeated filly Echo Zulu was the first of Asmussen's duo to work. The daughter of Gun Runner   breezed with exercise rider Wilson Fabian in the saddle. The duo broke to the inside of regular workmate King Ottoman , who was ridden by former jockey Eddie Martin Jr. 

Echo Zulu worked through eighth-mile fractions of :12 1/5, :23 4/5, :35 3/5, and :47 2/5. She galloped out seven furlongs in 1:25 1/5, according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols. 

In Asmussen's next set of horses, Epicenter, with Fabian in the irons, worked to the outside of Gun It  and Martin through splits of :13, :24 2/5, :35 4/5, and :47 1/5. Epicenter galloped out seven furlongs in 1:26 1/5 and was up to one-mile in 1:41. 

"We're so happy the weather has cooperated on our scheduled work days. The racetrack is in great shape this morning," Asmussen said after he arrived in Louisville following an eight-hour overnight drive from Oaklawn Park. "These were the most significant works for us. We're following a pattern that we're very comfortable with. I love the rhythm these horses are in. Both of these horses have kept their same workmates from New Orleans this winter. I'm unbelievably appreciative of the job Wilson and Eddie have done helping get them to this point.

"They've both started out as tremendous prospects and individuals. We're aiming (for) incremental improvement to not take too big of a leap forward. So everything is a building block to success. Since they have arrived here at Churchill that trend has continued. I was so excited with Echo Zulu's first work here."

Epicenter and Echo Zulu completed the $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) and $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) double, respectively, in late March. 

Asmussen, who is North America's all-time leading trainer in wins, has made 23 starts in the Kentucky Derby but has failed to win the 1 1/4-mile event. His trainees have finished second and third, twice each, in the run for the roses. His last starter to hit the board was Lookin At Lee  , who finished second in 2017. Asmussen also finished third in 2016 with Gun Runner  , second in 2011 with Nehro , and third in 2007 with Curlin  . 

"I literally know what it feels like to win the Derby," Asmussen said, explaining that he briefly thought Nehro was the winner. "I didn't see Animal Kingdom  coming down the center of the track that day. With Lookin At Lee, when Corey (Lanerie) cut the corner with him and the acceleration he showed going by tired horses, it just looked like he was going fast enough to win the Derby. Always Dreaming   had enough to hold him off. The visuals of those moments were goosebump exciting. I've got 23 different feelings on the Derby but very vividly remember Nehro and Lookin At Lee.

"For Curlin's Derby, I never thought he'd get beat. The walkover for his Derby felt like it took three strides but the walk back felt like it was the Sahara Desert. He went to the test barn after the race with Zanjero  (who finished 12th) and Zanjero was blowing hard. Curlin came out of the test barn and was his strong, usual self. He had enough ability but it wasn't meant to be." 

Epicenter and Echo Zulu are likely to head back to the track Tuesday.

At 7:30 a.m., Crown Pride worked a half-mile from the three-furlong pole through consistent fractions of :12 2/5, :24 4/5, and :37 1/5. He galloped out five furlongs in 1:01 2/5. Trainer Koichi Shintani is scheduled to arrive in Louisville on May 1 and will be in attendance at the post position draw Monday, May 2. 

          

In other Derby-related news, Asmussen removed grade 3 winner Morello from Derby consideration because the colt has a foot issue. 

Also, Jeff Drown's Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) winner Zandon  arrived at Churchill Sunday morning. He is stabled with several other stablemates in Barn 25.

Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa (G1) winner White Abarrio  breezed in company April 24 and is slated to have his final training in Florida May 1 and arrive in Saffie Joseph's Barn 10 May 2.

The Race Day  colt completed five furlongs in 1:00.04 after passing workmate Stormy Pattern  (1:01.04) nearing the wire and then galloped out six furlongs in 1:12.58.

"It went good. I got him in :59 and four. They got him in a minute. He worked with that horse before the Florida Derby, two weeks out," Joseph said. "We kept everything the same, the same workmate, a similar pattern two weeks out. That time he ran a 1:02. This time he ran a little faster than a minute. Last time he galloped out in 1:13. This time he galloped out in 1:12."

Simplification , who finished third to White Abarrio in the Florida Derby, is scheduled to arrive in Louisville May 1 for trainer Antonio Sano.

Sunday was the first day of turf training from Churchill Downs on the new $10 million turf course. Pending inclement weather, the first turf races are scheduled on Saturday for Opening Night of the Spring Meet.