Another Classic, Another Shot for Lookin At Lee

Lookin At Lee will not be carrying a lunch pail during the Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets (G1) June 10 at Belmont Park, but trainer Steve Asmussen knows his horse will bring that mental approach to the 1 1/2-mile classic.

That mental and physical toughness has allowed Lookin At Lee to separate himself as the only horse to be entered in all three legs of the 2017 Triple Crown. He already earned a classic placing with a runner-up finish in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1), and he followed that effort with a fourth-place Preakness Stakes (G1) finish.

Asmussen knows L and N Racing's Lookin At Lee doesn't bring the raw speed and talent of some of the stars that have graced his stable through the years, but the Hall of Famer loves the steady willingness to compete displayed by the 3-year-old son of Lookin At Lucky  . 

"I think he's a very special horse because of who he is physically and mentally," Asmussen said. "He separates himself that way from everybody. He's not brilliant from a speed standpoint, but he is extremely durable mentally and physically."

That fire to compete has come despite few trips to the winner's circle. Lookin At Lee has lost eight straight races dating back to his August 2016 victory in the Ellis Park Juvenile Stakes. But the fire has remained throughout that stretch, as he has only finished worse than fourth once and earned five graded stakes placings, including three grade 1 placings and a classic placing. In 11 starts he has $942,795 in earnings.

Asmussen has seen plenty of horses get frustrated during similar stretches, but such mental irritations don't seem to bother Lookin At Lee, who keeps delivering his best in hopes of that next victory.

"I've been amazed at who he is without having success," Asmussen said. "I think horses, like so many of us, need a reward—a pat on the head here and there. But he just eats, sleeps, trains, and runs. He's very consistent."

That constant desire has continued for a horse that Asmussen notes has received few gifts in terms of racing luck. Bred in Kentucky by Ray Hanson, Lookin At Lee scored a maiden win in his second start, then won the seven-furlong Ellis Park Juvenile. He then finished second to the two horses who went on to finish first and second in the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1): Not This Time  , who won the Iroquois Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs; and Classic Empire, who won the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1) at Keeneland.

Lookin At Lee started from the widest post of 12 in the Breeders' Futurity and the widest of 11 in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, where he finished fourth to eventual 2-year-old champion male Classic Empire. In the Derby he became the first horse in 29 years to earn a placing after drawing the inside post.

Asmussen noted there are no guarantees in racing but hopes that as Lookin At Lee continues to put himself in good position, he'll be rewarded.

"So many of us make or find excuses. But he uses none. I admire that quality in him," Asmussen said. "I'm proud of 'Lee' for all that he has done and the fact that he's still physically and mentally willing to compete at this level."

Two-time Eclipse Award winner Asmussen secured his first Belmont victory last year with Creator and sent out Curlin   to a memorable runner-up finish to filly Rags to Riches in 2007 in the 1 1/2-mile classic. Asmussen's Belmont Park memories span decades.

"Belmont itself—I just love it. Every time I'm here I remember being a little kid when my brother (Cash) was riding here. You come from South Texas and walk out on the apron at Belmont Park (and) you know it's very special. I still have that feeling when I walk out on the apron here," Asmussen said, noting that the size of the track gets him every time. "You know how big it is, but then the next time you walk out on that apron. You're like 'Wow.' Then you're squinting to see your horse down the backstretch thinking, 'Man, this place is big.'"

He'd love to add another memory Saturday.