Welp, it’s officially 0-28. Yeah, you read that right. Steve Asmussen, the winningest trainer in North American horse racing history, still couldn’t crack the Kentucky Derby curse. The man with over 10,000 career wins just can’t seem to catch a break at Churchill Downs. This year? Tiztastic finished 10th, Publisher came in 14th, and the Derby dream dissipated yet again. But Asmussen’s not one to dwell too long on losses. He was already saddling up, invigorated for a fresh shot at glory in the $2 million Preakness Stakes, where the vibes were high and the stakes even higher.
Enter Clever Again, his new hope with a name that feels almost too poetic for the situation. This 3-year-old son of American Pharoah had been looking sharp, especially with that smooth Hot Springs win back in March. He’s only had three starts, but two of those led him to victory, and then he had 2022 Preakness champ Jose Ortiz take his place in the saddle. But, in a twist of fate, America’s most coveted trainer took another hit at the Preakness Stakes 2025 and still remains victoryless after 28 Derby swings. But why such high expectations from Clever Again, you ask?
Clever Again stepped onto that big ol’ Pimlico stage with the kind of chill confidence you only get from winning by four lengths like it’s just another day at the office. With Steve Asmussen holding the reins as trainer and Jose Ortiz riding high in the saddle, this speed demon’s had all eyes locked in with unwavering attention. He’s got that zip-off-the-blocks energy and a pedigree dripping in royalty, thanks to his sire, American Pharoah and mama Flattering.
Now don’t let that limited resume fool you. This one’s got the genes to go the distance and the mindset to match. Flattering, his globe-trotting madame, flexed her turf game in Ireland and the UK and grabbed a Group 3 win going a cool mile-and-a-half. And his half-brother? Yeah, Daddy Justify’s already racked up a couple of wins at route distances. So don’t be surprised if Clever Again channels that family fire and handles this Preakness stretch like he’s been doing it forever.
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American Pharoah, his pops, ain’t just any sire, he’s a full-blown legend with Triple Crown gold and a Breeders’ Cup beatdown under his belt. His babies shine brightest at route distances, and while they don’t all love the marathon runs, they sure know how to stack wins. With that kind of bloodline running through him, and some serious swagger behind his training camp, Clever Again had all the hopes to turn that short résumé into a headliner moment on Saturday but, looks like it’s ‘next time’ once again.
Oh, there’s no doubt that Steve Asmussen is that guy with his name already etched in North American history, a Hall of Famer, and a double Eclipse Award champ… the man’s résumé is stacked higher than a Triple Crown trophy case. He’s trained champs that’ve danced their way through the Preakness, Belmont, Kentucky Oaks, Dubai World Cup, you name it, he’s conquered it. And hey, while Clever Again didn’t quite gallop into glory at this year’s Preakness, don’t count the stable out just yet. Another steed galloped into the spotlight and stole the thunder, but that doesn’t shake the fact that Asmussen’s still the maestro behind a symphony of unforgettable finishes.
If not Clever Again for Preakness, Asmussen’s still got the ace!
Booth? Oh yeah, he’s that guy right now on the sprint scene, and on Saturday at Pimlico, the speedster made it four wins in a row, turning the $150K Maryland Sprint (G3) into his personal victory lap. The crowd was buzzing, the track was buzzing, and Booth? He was cruising. With Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen calling the shots and his own son, Eclipse Award winner Erik, chilling in the irons, Booth took the front like he owned the place and never looked back. That 1:10.39 finish? All gas, no brakes, just vibes.
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He faced a little pressure early from Epic Ride; that G1-placed dude who tried to make things spicy, but Booth was just like,’nah.’ Shook him off at the top of the stretch with nothing more than a hand ride and glided home by a comfy length. No whip, no stress, just that cool confidence. That’s now four Maryland Sprint wins for the Asmussen barn, joining legends like Switzerland, New York Central, and Jaxon Traveler. A dynasty? Yeah, pretty much.
Let’s not forget, Booth’s got some serious sprinting royalty in his bloodline. He’s a Mitole baby (yup, that Mitole, the 2019 sprint king), and mama Sophia’s Song was no slouch either. Snagged for $250K as a 2-year-old from the crew at Wavertree Stables, this Kentucky-bred rocket from Clearsky Farms is now 4-for-5 as a 4-year-old and turning heads with every step. Booth’s out here proving he’s not just fast… he’s built for the spotlight.
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