By Brian DiDonato
Trainer Steve Asmussen, who already boasts four wins in the GII Rachel Alexandra S., and who trained the future Hall of Famer for which the race was renamed in 2011, holds a strong hand with two high-profile runners entered in Saturday's renewal. Stageplay (Curlin), favored on the morning line at 7-5, ran to significant tote action to defeat subsequent 'TDN Rising Star' earner Carina Mia (Malibu Moon) sprinting at Keeneland Oct. 10. She added the one-mile Rags to Riches S. at Churchill Nov. 1, but was second-best to Carina Mia in Churchill's GII Golden Rod S. 27 days later. Briefly freshened, she returned to handle Midnight On Oconee (Midnight Lute) in the local Silverbulletday S. Jan. 16.
Asmussen's other representative Royal Obsession (Tapit) carries the same gold and burgundy Stonestreet silks that Rachel Alexandra sported for much of her career. A $1.15-million purchase from the Regis Farms dispersal at last year's Keeneland November sale when she had already been in training with Asmussen, the grey began to pay back that investment while earning 'Rising Star' status for a debut win despite an awkward trip at Churchill Nov. 29. Royal Obsession endured another wide trip, but got the job done by a head at 9-10 over well-bred Lemon Drop Belle (Lemon Drop Kid) going a mile here Jan. 23.
Forever Darling (Congrats) was acquired privately by Katsumi Yoshida of Japan's Northern Farm after her win last time in the GII Santa Ynez S. She remains for the time being under the care of Richard Baltas, who previously co-owned the horse with Hebert Bloodstock and J K Racing LLC. The chestnut was eighth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Oct. 31 behind champion Songbird (Medaglia d'Oro) off a maiden win at Santa Anita Sept. 26. “She's doing good,” Baltas told the Fair Grounds press office. “There's a horse out here called Songbird and I'd like to avoid her. She came out of her last race good. I was one of her owners before then, but the Japanese like that family and they bought her and left her with me for the time being. We'd like to win more Grade II races and a Grade I, if possible.” He added, “We ran in the Breeders' Cup because we thought other than Songbird and [runner-up and daughter of Rachel Alexandra] Rachel's Valentina (Bernardini), there wasn't a lot in there… It was a lot to bite off, but we thought we could get third. We came back after that and regrouped and she's done well. I hope she can route. She's not built like a sprinter or a router, but she's really well-balanced and made very well.”
The hulking Shaken (Uncle Mo) is an intriguing longshot possibility. The bay scored after a wide trip in her six-furlong debut here Jan. 30, but looks like one who may be even better with more ground to work with.
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