Toronto, ON – Trainer Steve Asmussen recorded his 5,000th career victory in Friday’s seventh race at Woodbine.
The 43-year-old conditioner, who won his first Eclipse Award last year, reached the milestone with two-year-old Passion Rules, who led from gate to wire and drew off convincingly in the maiden claiming event.
Asmussen, a resident of Arlington, Texas, is just the fifth trainer in the history of Thoroughbred racing to reach the 5,000-win plateau, joining Dale Baird, Jack Van Berg, King Leatherbury and Jerry Hollendorfer.
Asmussen is best known for his accomplishments with two-time Horse of the Year Curlin and current superstar Rachel Alexandra, who conquered older males in the Grade 1 Woodward last Saturday at Saratoga.
Assistant trainer Hank Gensler, who heads Asmussen’s Woodbine operation, saddled Passion Rules, a 10-length winner ridden by Luis Contreras. “If I know Steve, he’s very happy right now,” said Gensler. “In 10 minutes, he’ll be thinking about winning 5,001.”
Asmussen trainees are stabled at racetracks throughout the United States. In 2008, the native of Gettysburg, South Dakota, set up his first Canadian division at Woodbine and tallied 40 victories.
Gensler, who has been part of the Asmussen team for two years, said he’s happy for the entire team, which includes assistants Scott Blasi, Kristen Crawford, Toby Sheets, Darren Fleming and Tony Mathiason. “I think we had 11 or 12 in today (across North America). I kind of thought it would be today somewhere,” said Gensler. “It’s a big team. That’s the way everybody looks at it. We swap horses a lot. Everybody does a great job. I’m happy that we got it done.”
Passion Rules, who is owned by Vinery Stables, was Asmussen’s 462nd triumph of 2009.
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