Napravnik, Asmussen Take Fair Grounds Titles
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Rosie Napravnik, Steve Asmussen, and Maggi Moss repeated their respective titles as leading jockey, trainer, and owner at Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots, which concluded its winter/spring meet March 30.
Taking her fourth consecutive riding title, Napravnik rode multiple stakes winners over the course of the meet, including in the marquee races for 3-year-olds. She won aboard Louisiana-bred Vicar's in Trouble in the Louisiana Derby (gr. II) and Untapable in the Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. III), both March 29 at the New Orleans track. Napravnik bested runner-up James Graham for the third consecutive season, concluding the season with 114 wins, nine more than Graham.
Napravnik had 125 wins in the 2012-13 season, 111 with her 2011-12 title, and 110 in 2010-11. Napravnik joins Ronald Ardoin (1992-93 through 1995-96) and Shane Romero (1987-88 through 1991-92) as the only riders with at least four consecutive Fair Grounds riding titles since 1960.
Embattled trainer Steve Asmussen, who tied for leading trainer honors last season with Tom Amoss, ended the season atop the Fair Grounds trainer standings for the 13th time in his career with 60 wins. He finished well clear of Amoss.
Asmussen's meet was highlighted by the commanding performances by Untapable in the Fair Grounds Oaks as well as the Rachel Alexandra Stakes Feb. 22.
Asmussen has recently come under fire due to a report in the New York Times based on an undercover investigation by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals that alleges his stable has mistreated its horses. His nomination as a finalist to the National Racing Hall of Fame was tabled in the wake of those allegations.
Moss tallied her fourth straight title, landing 21 wins at the meet, after tying with Asmussen atop the owners standings at 18 wins last season. Moss campaigns the meet's only five-time winner, Phat Day.