Sunday, November 23, 2008

Asmussen equals own single-season win record

STEVE ASMUSSEN
NTRA photo

Trainer Steve Asmussen equaled his own North American record of 555 victories in a single season when Padua Stables' Union Strike won the tenth race at Fair Grounds.

He has one scheduled mount remaining on Saturday night.

Earlier in the day, Asmussen earned win number 554 with Dr. W in the third race at Aqueduct. The 43-year-old trainer set the record in 2004.

Asmussen trains Curlin, the reigning Horse of the Year who is the all-time leading North American-based earner with $10,501,800. Through Friday, he leads all North American trainers in purse earnings for the season with $21,884,073.