Rachel Alexandra and Curlin – two of the gems trained by Steven Asmussen
Trainer Steven Asmussen has made a name for himself saddling some brilliant runners over the years. One of the more talented runners from his string is Rachel Alexandra, who has secured majestic victories in her career.
The daughter of Medaglia d'Oro, foaled by Roar mare Lotta Kim, competed in 19 starts over the course of her career, and has a record of 13-5-0 with earnings worth $3,506,730.
The Calvin Borel owned runner was brilliant as a juvenile, but she physically developed and shone as a sophomore, when she won a number of races.
Her first graded stakes victory came in the Grade 2 Golden Rod Stakes in 2008.
After this success, she demonstrated her true talent and conjured up a sizzling 9 race win streak. During her win streak, she aced the Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks at Fair Grounds Race Course, followed by victory in the Grade 2 Fantasy Stakes.
In May, 2009, she won the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs where she defeated, Stone Legacy.
At age 3, she was a brilliant success and went a step further when she triumphed in the Grade 1 BlackBerry Preakness Stakes on 16th
May, 2009.
After this, she landed the Grade 1 Mother Goose Stakes, the Haskell Invitational, and the Woodward Stakes.
The Rachel Alexandra Stakes were named in her honour, apart from this she was the champion three-year-old filly and the Horse of the Year in 2009.
Curlin was another one of Steven Asmussen’s gems, whose record is just as impeccable. He has a record of 11-2-2 in 16 career starts.
The son of Smart Strike was determined to be a success from the day he started racing, as he won the Grade 3 Rebel Stakes, and the Grade 2 Arkansas Derby as a sophomore. He went on to compete in all three legs of the U.S. Triple Crown, and claimed
placed finishes in all three.
The Stonestreet Stables owned runner stood third in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands, won the Preakness Stakes and finished as a runner-up in the Belmont Stakes. He ended his sophomore year in style, when he owned the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup
Classic Powered by Dodge.
As a four-year-old, Curlin claimed the Dubai World Cup and the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes. He won the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes twice in his career. He was retired to stud duty after he finished 4th in the Grade 1 Breeders'
Cup Classic.
Curlin and Rachel Alexandra has a foal together, who was whelped in 2012. When the time comes, this colt will be expected to be terrific, as he has large shoes to fill and shine like his parents one day. If Asmussen’s trains him, he will be a star.
Steven Asmussen continues to train, and his brilliance comes out every time. In 2012, one of his best juveniles, Teen Pauline, demonstrated her potential in the maiden at Saratoga on 25th July, 2012. She is among the string
of horses under Asmussen’s care.
As long as he trains, horse-racing will continue to be exciting.
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