#KyDerby148

Trainer Steve Asmussen really thought this was going to be his year to win the Kentucky Derby with Epicenter, then the 81-1 shot who needed a scratch Friday morning to make it into the starting gate rallies up the inside to beat him by three-quarters of a length. Wearing his heart on his sleeve, Asmussen talks about both second-place Epicenter and victorious Rich Strike, who was claimed for $30,000 out of his second career start.

[@bordiguy]

Rich Strike while passing Epicenter… “You ran a great race bro.”

[@vernonfrance2974]

bordiguy I think he said "Eat my dust you overpriced blue blood!" Rich Strike was purchased for $30K and Epicenter for $260K.

[@carlitosortiz2870]

If you go back and look at the race during the last 100yds Rich Strike was looking at Epic Center like "dude you really think you're going to win"?....i mean i can't see his eyes but i can see it in his eyes..lol

[@thomashong2938]

@@vernonfrance2974 RS’s breeder is the renowned Calumet Farm of Lexington, Kentucky. That kind of makes him a blue blood, too.

[@vernonfrance2974]

@@thomashong2938 Thank you for correcting me. You are right. After your comment here, I looked up his pedigree. Rich Strike's dam was produced by Canadian champion Gold Strike, a Smart Strike mare, (This makes Smart Strike Rich Strikes great grandsire on his dam's side._ Gold Strike won the 1 1/16-mile Selene S. (G3) and 1 1/8-mile Woodbine Oaks back when Woodbine had a dirt track installed. "So Rich Strike actually has two close doses of Smart Strike in his pedigree, since Smart Strike is the sire of Curlin and the grandsire of Keen Ice. (Making Smart Strike a paternal great grandsire of Rich Strike as well.) "Smart Strike’s own stud record reads like a “who’s who” of accomplished racehorses from the first two decades of the 2000s, including Preakness winner Lookin at Lucky and Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner Battle of Midway, who placed third in the Kentucky Derby. In short, it’s hard to pick holes in the pedigree of Rich Strike. While there’s a chance he could follow Keen Ice’s example and reach his peak sometime after the spring classics, racing 1 1/4 miles on dirt should generally be right up Rich Strike’s alley." J. Keeler Johnson May 6, 2022 edge.twinspires.com/racing/kentucky-derby-pedigree-profile-rich-strike/

[@jacobjones5269]

We’re even and I’m leaving..

[@cynthiabarnard6864]

Takes great humility to accept "what is." I loved every word from the man's lips.

[@CarlosGarcia-fj2jh]

You right about that the man got cheated and robbed at the same time that horse had no reason to enter first of all that horse never ran the prep races second you have to get points to enter the Kentucky Derby they cheated Churchill Downs cheated and this you put a lawsuit against them that was Foul Play

[@thomashong2938]

@@CarlosGarcia-fj2jh WRONG. Rich Strike earned 21 points in the Road to the Kentucky Derby standings. He finished 4th in the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes prep race, earning him 1 point. And 20 points finishing 3rd in the Jeff Ruby Steaks AKA the Spiral Stakes championship series prep race.

[@gregoryadkins2213]

I’m sure the owners feel the same way!!!!!

[@joseguedes2498]

@@thomashong2938 I totally agree with you.

[@rskrzz6233]

@@thomashong2938 theyre just salty, rich strike also comes from a great bloodline, a canadian champion mother and a champion grandfather that was known for his closer speed named curlin.

[@glennfromel5711]

Steve showed class.

[@BIG-BlueNation8569]

First class! Lexington Kentucky 👍

[@kevinmcdonald6477]

Total class and great sportsmanship. I hope he gets a Derby someday. I know I've won a lot following him thru the years wether in stakes or claimed. He could use a haircut.lol.

[@kurtsugg3455]

I was just going to say the same thing very classy.

[@silky2204]

Yep. But he must enjoy the industry. Just keep on going. This is a journey not a destination.

[@piteusx8440]

Showing grace in time of your greatest defeat. Pure class.

[@jimmyjohnson7883]

Not even the announcer seen #21 coming. A true underdog! Rich strike was in last at the beginning of the race. Nobody saw this coming. In fact they said that #20 pulled out and Rich Strike #21 was entered on Friday 30 seconds before the slot closed. It was 80 to 1 odds. And the second longest shot in the history of the Kentucky derby. Awesome!

[@messiahsbythesackful6267]

I compared the announcer's call today with Mine That Bird, and he caught Rich Strike taking the lead slightly faster today. 😂

[@penelopelopez8296]

Epicenter ran a heck of a race. He did everything that was asked of him and performed as I felt he would but the other horse just outran him today. It will go down in history as a great derby.

[@messiahsbythesackful6267]

@@penelopelopez8296 I was watching Zandon and didn't see this coming either. It was an awesome race that I might believe happened in the morning.😉

[@zkeletonz001]

A lot of times in sports you can do everything right, and still get beat. Yet another example.

[@kevinmcdonald6477]

The jock, Sonny Leon, has done well at smaller Midwest tracks. This great ride should put him on the map to ride at the premiere tracks. Ballsy ride overcoming outside post of 20. The fast pace certainly helped him. They were going way too fast thru the splits early.

[@johnmann1317]

This race will make a great movie one day.

[@italianwaterice9594]

no Baffert ruined racing

[@DoubleDogDare54]

@@italianwaterice9594 Bob lives in your head, does he?

[@Southern_Agrarian1930]

A sequel to 50 to 1 LOL

[@kerrykirk9901]

Agree. Has Hollywood script all over it. The backstory of the owner, the trainer, the jockey and the horse have feel good movie all over it.

[@vivianpowell1732]

Probably not. Longshot horse movies have been done several times. 50-1 about Mine That Bird, for one. Too bad, because this one's the best one.

[@urbanwilliam5407]

congratulations to Eric Reed, fine trainer, wins races and just all around good man,Sonny Leon you rode Rich strike phenomenally, absolutely brilliant moves thruout the entire race... great job 👍👍👍👍👍,,

[@howardkravets4574]

What a great attitude by an outstanding trainer.

[@vegasj305]

Yeah right, he's a juicer just like Baffert!! Watch this and you'll agree with me kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4Wth3RoodyKaqM

[@carlitosortiz2870]

This is a gentleman sport with pure atheletes, bunch of classy dudes, hope it remains this way.

[@debbieashton4976]

He was floored like everyone else. Who could have known that would happen. But a beautiful win for Rich Strike and his crew!

[@natwestrowleymile]

Let’s face it, I think they became a long shot when mattress Mack put the hex $ on them

[@craigneeve61]

not sure he didnt say he got beaten by the better horse on the day, all he said was congrats

[@bigdogma8456]

Wow. I am still in shock. Steve showed class right here! Hats off to him! His day will come and it truly showed today that he is deserving. Still has many awards and lot's to be proud of. If your gonna get beaten, best that it was history in the making at same time. WOW, JUST WOW.

[@davidthompson62]

If there is a trainer who deserves a Kentucky Derby winner it’s this guy. I could tell you story after story what he’s done for racing. The one I will share was when The Once Great Rockingham Park, in Salem NH, was in trouble financially, Steve would still ship quality horse up their even though he could have raced them in New York or New Jersey for bigger purses. That’s who Steve is and what horse racing means to him! (Sadly, Rockingham Park closed forever a few years back).

[@penelopelopez8296]

Epicenter performed as many expected him to. He gave his all and was right there but just got outran today. He was second best but it was a great race. The winning jockey rode a magnificent race…just brilliant.

[@marklewen9384]

Epicenter was the BEST by far....insane pace by two horses who didn't deserve to be there

[@kevinmcdonald6477]

@@marklewen9384 Spot on. The pace was way too fast on a muddy track to boot. This jockey has been successful on smaller Ohio and Midwest tracks. This should get him enough notice to join the big boys. Gutsy ride. Reminded me of Shoe weaving Ferdinand in and out to win the Derby.

[@vernonfrance2974]

@Penelope Lopez I agree and that jockey is from a land called Venezuela.

[@vernonfrance2974]

@@marklewen9384 Rich Strike ran the best race by far. The rules say any horse with enough points deserves to be there if their connections want to enter the race. Epicenter, Zandon and Rich Strike and fourth place Simplification benefitted by the horses up front going too fast because they did not have enough energy left to hold off the horses that paced themselves better.

[@marklewen9384]

@@vernonfrance2974 rich strike ran best race??? You are an imbecile.....epicenter ran onto the teeth if a supersonic pace and stayed on. He ran HERCULEAN...rich strike did nothing but be Slow and take advantage of a fast pace. Rich strike most likely sill never win a graded stake again.

[@patluvsvettes]

Sorry, Steve. I thought you had the winner today. You WILL get there eventually!

[@TAnd-nq6if]

I always bet on his horses, terrific trainer 👌

[@kaylataylor5373]

Rich Strike ran his race. He is a beautiful horse and has spirit. The horses aren't burdened with human competitive thoughts and division on endless levels. Thank you for the joyous win!!!

[@lskshmariemostolesdhksks9719]

Amen ..❤😊🙏🏻🙏🏻🤲

[@Hanover-ek4jy]

The greatest derby win ever!

[@lisarathmancrumley4668]

Gods bigger than men know. Great ride and nice horse... Rich Strike..kicked butt. That was AWESOME..

[@cacapeepee6711]

Wasn't a great ride. Took advantage of a total pace meltdown.

[@r1.454]

Amen Great interview or review of the race by Steve. Basically we ran r race n just plan got beat. That’s horse racing…

[@Scubooty]

Knew that was gunna leave a bruise for a while. It was a really tough race on paper. Longshots have an advantage, in one aspect. They don't have to save face. They can gamble. big time. They can pick a pitch , and only look for that pitch. Nobody cares how badly they might fail.

[@JACKDAWFISH]

Great interview. You'd never hear this out of Baffert.

[@Letsreviewsomething]

Baffert would be absolutely pissed and try to say the horse cheated

[@agustindejesus7398]

Dav, Baffert has 2 or three horses represented by other trainer or trainers. He could not cheat today....the micro was somewhere at Santa Anita.

[@myroselle6987]

I’m not sure. I used to really feel that way about him but I loved the way he handled American Pharoahs triple crown. He seemed to give all the credit to the horse and rider. I liked that. I don’t know though… you could be right.

[@Weekendhandicapper]

This should be required viewing by everyone on how to handle defeat and when things dont go your way. Class act! Even bigger fan of Steve's now!!! Excellent video!

[@Tombacuse1]

That is a really great interview,kudos to that dude....

[@cherlyntravis8371]

LOVE Steve. Much respect and admiration for him. I will continue to cheer for him and his runners. 🐎❤

[@chrispafrieddreams9118]

Steve Assmussen, what a great sport, could be a sore loser but he wasn't! He's been around long enough, to know that's horse racing, anything can happen..

[@danamansutti9441]

Exactly.

[@wayneanderson8034]

Great ride by Joel Rosario, he made all the right moves at the right time. Hustled to the rail at the start to beat trouble, rail trip to save ground, made his move at the right time on the back stretch, & held off his contender in the stretch. He just got beat honestly by a better deep closer. No complaints for Epicenter & hats off to Rich Strike.

[@tomdallas3690]

Everything about Epcienter's race was a winning race. That is how winner's look all the way around. It is a brutal bad beat for Epicenter's connections because they were really home free and it had to be a shock right before the wire.

[@davus4242]

Who??

[@eddiedeleon2425]

na obliga Sir still in 8th position more than half of the race have lapsed Joel del Rosario knows it being a veteran of many big races but the destiny of the horse and jockey their One Moment in Time, Creator won the Belmont how happy am i for you Sir

[@iosor7524]

He should know better and secure the rail.Remember Calvin Borel?

[@christinepeniaranda8484]

Awesome racing! Thank GOD for horses!

[@kc8767]

Tough luck for Steve. Epicenter wins this race 9/10 in a 10-12 horse race. Epicenter has a bright future. 🌟🌟🌟

[@JeffRebornNow]

But the Derby isn't a 10-12 horse race, and therein lies the difference.

[@brianjones6465]

I disagree.

[@vernonfrance2974]

@@JeffRebornNow I agree. All the people who want to make the Derby a popularity contest limiting it to 14 horses need to look at this case. A horse that would not have been in the race, Rich Strike, proved to be the best because it had to leave from the outside #20 post, weave through traffic, and have the energy and speed to finish the fastest crossing the finish line first.

[@DoubleDogDare54]

@@vernonfrance2974 Yes, but I think a lot of the talk about limiting it to a 14 horse race has to do with stopping the Charge of the Light Brigade to the first turn. My concern is one of these days the horse that is 5th coming past the grandstands will clip heels with the horse running 4th, go down and start a chain reaction with ten other horses. Yes, that could still happen in a smaller field or heading into the stretch, but it is less likely.

[@vernonfrance2974]

@@DoubleDogDare54 That could happen but most other countries have huge fields without such terrible incidents being commonplace. Ideally we should have a straight racecourse but real estate is too valuable to dedicate it to such a configuration. Furthermore, people would not get to see much more than a small portion of the race except on the monitors. Other forms of gambling want to end horse racing and this is probably on the horizon.

[@SBC581]

I'm not a horse person but that race reminded me of my Rugby days when you look and see that lane open and just go "on the burst"!!!

[@patg-money225]

I think this man has handled this with the utmost class and respect. I hope he gets it next year 'cause everything he said I was saying after the race! hahahaha

[@paulweeldreyer7457]

It was a meltdown pace and Epicenter ran great.

[@chrispafrieddreams9118]

He was the only horse anywhere near the pace, that survived the top half of the field! Lost in the shadow of the wire..

[@simondickinson5578]

Insane pace, most of that field was blown completely apart...

[@terrydodson9884]

So surprising, I don’t think anyone could have predicted. Asmusson was quite gracious. Looking forward, I am excited to see Strike Rich run again. I hope this wasn’t a fluke, that he is really a good horse just starting to bloom!

[@glennfromel5711]

Rich Strike or Strike Rich. Or Buddy Rich or Rich Little.

[@aemcos9777]

I agree with you, he has a bright future ahead after all this is his 8th start and second win

[@Gokywildcats11]

Pulled out and rode the rail

[@tjhammer24]

I'd be hugely surprised if that horse runs half as big again. That was once in a lifetime

[@terrydodson9884]

@@glennfromel5711 lol, a lady texted me. Secret oats ! I’m like Secret Oath .

[@horatiohornblower3757]

Rich Strike didn't run like a claimer there at the end. The speed and power he had was well above the rest, incredible story, what a finish. At least it wasn't a Mine That Bird call, but it still could have been better. Wow.

[@susanaffonso255]

He’s a good sport

[@nayrod4529]

He should be proud of his horse. He ran amazing.

[@thomaslloydcarey]

He was crushed, his horse ran a perfect race and the jock rode him perfectly. As he said they were run down by a claimer in the lane, but credit to them. Mr. Asmussen handled himself beautifully in defeat.

[@catherinelynnfraser2001]

Class all the way! Kudos to Steve

[@diannacarey6508]

The driver (jockey) and the horse won that race.

[@edwinjewell5359]

Rich strike turned its head looking at Epicenter and said Not in my house!

[@jessejames3072]

the claimer beat your horse . learn from this , never under estimate the small guy🎉

[@shengdela]

You won’t give up. Really hope you will win this derby soon.

[@Gokywildcats11]

This guy was professional and gave all the credit.

[@sherrykirk6922]

Eric Reed trained his horse with everything in him where not to race where to race lightly raced fresh horse ready for a TRIPLE CROWN VICTORY. He gonna get better.

[@MarioPerez-pm1xi]

I like Steve , he’s a great horseman come on,just say 👍🏻

[@urbanwilliam5407]

he was born into the business , whole family super professional horsemen, and mom horsewoman.... I worked for Steve, met mom, dad, brother cash who I had the pleasure to see him win the Arlington million... nothing but class acts ....

[@RockFreakPTY]

Sometimes by losing a horse shows more than by winning. Always have appreciated him as a good horse but yesterday he ran his heart out and just got beat in a race he didn’t deserve to lose but this life and it’s the Derby. I’m a fan of this horse now. And he’s just going to continue to get better and he’ll win lots of races.

[@camcook7241]

I like Steve. Seems like a cool guy. Hope he gets the win next year

[@CPRATTBOSTON]

TVG stinks for the second time on a busy day they had problems. I could not get a bet in after 4pm eastern.

[@vambo13257]

I was lucky I was a t a friends house who still uses Twin Spires. Really frustrating, showing no balance and locked out of bets for over an hour and a half? Really, whatever FanDuel is doing to them they need to get their sh!t together

[@chrispafrieddreams9118]

Need to keep a backup account! Tvg sucks anyways! They try to cover all the tracks, when they should focus on a few..

[@rossblacker1480]

He took the high road, class guy

[@jackwoods9604]

Great Trainer and Trained 1 of my Favorite Horses...Mitole

[@hannahwebb4846]

I love Mitole. Nice looking horse.

[@frantroje3177]

Great speed in this Derby race…..Epicenter ran a great race.

[@charlesthomas3367]

I can relate. Twice last year, I went 0-25 races (betting wise) and have been playing the horses over 40 years! Merlin and Houdini must be shaking their heads!

[@duckshaker]

0 for 25 would be tough to take! I've had some bad losing streaks too, but I try to remember Andrew Beyer's advice about putting your losses behind you. He meant put them out of your mind (easier said than done!) My strategy is to bet enough to cancel the previous losses...to literally put them behind me. If I'm down $50.00 then I'll bet $10.00 on a 5-1 horse, etc.

[@keithkeane8400]

Never write off an outsider. Look at the arc last year the English grand national the Irish national. Big priced outsiders. Fair play to everyone. Steve's day will come. Great race to watch and what a ride by sonny.

[@Jackmc2112]

This is a movie. The storyline which includes the tragedy of what 24 horses trapped in an inferno. I literally well up with tears not of sadness but of joy for all those involved. I especially get a sense of peace when I observe the groom caring for Richie. It’s hard to explain.

[@duncanbleak3819]

Asmussen showing true class!

[@CC-xn5xi]

Horse racing needed this amazing story.

[@dianamitethe1nonly703]

When Steve enters his 25th, that’s your winner and the breaker of the curse…

[@petergranados6431]

This is why life is about.....magical storys.....

[@judithdemers3608]

Better luck in the preakness. We are looking forward to watching you in the winners circle

[@Angelaius]

Well spoken trainer. Its ultimately on the horse not on them who wins.

[@robertwaid3579]

That is really insightful, and basically Asmussen, is saying the late Edition, Horse, Rich Strike was too Him & the other's? Apparently quite a few. The Horse was counted out too Win it ALL. But as it goes in The Sport, any Horse can Win it All. Congratulations to the Owner, Trainer n staff, plus all the other members, of Thier little, Group. Best of Luck to all in two weeks? At the Preakness Stakes.

[@tabo01]

Same thing happened to Baffert in 2009, he thought he had it won, and the Mine that Bird just blew by.

[@brettwilkinson9529]

Good on ya mate !!

[@alexisj1343]

Epicenter and Zandon probably didn't even know that Rick Strike was in the race...And if they did they didn't care because they didn't view him as a threat...Maybe after seeing this race people will learn something from it...Never underestimate your opponent expect the unexpected.. Congratulations to Eric Reed and Sonny Leon.... 👌💯

[@joebirdwelljr629]

Cool guy. Very gracious in defeat. Best of luck to him in the Preakness.

[@duckshaker]

Has it been confirmed Epicenter will run in the Preakness?

[@MPNNag]

Thank you Steve, no one had that sennario either!

[@lindafogel740]

The best horse won end of subject He has a great pedigree why is everyone so shocked this horses career just started !

[@SistersScott]

His horse ran a beautiful race and should have won the race, what Strike did was literally unbelievable!

[@chrisklotz4753]

Steve Asmussen has always been a class act. Steve and his jockey did everything right, but not to be. Maybe next year....

[@michellenainkristinabusch1221]

Never get too confident. It's horse racing

[@rocheholly1863]

I know Steve is upset sounds salty and thought this was his year. But this is the conversation American needs to have about opportunity and privilege $$ in this country. I love horses and horseracing so lets be happy for the owner and trainer and team that got a chance entry into the race and won. Go! Rich Strike God is Real !

[@kevinpantera4429]

God puts Speed into them. Saw that today!!!

[@darrenridgeway7452]

Joel Rosario won that race! The skill and the vision to weave through that many great horses is incredible. He knew the horse under him.

[@vivianpowell1732]

Sonny Leon was Rich Strike's jockey.

[@marycarlin1911]

Disney did write that story called Secretariat he runs like Secretariat

[@budmike81]

Assmussen is a great trainer.

[@outsideadventures6043]

I feel so bad for Epicenter and his trainer he had the best horse in the field I had him on tri but I fell into the hype of Taiba myself but Epicenter is the best 3 year old in the country

[@ozzyozzy2207]

He’s in shock and so am I wow

[@cheacosta809]

That was what happened they went extremely fast in the front and if you notice Rich strike was in the back and then he was in the middle of the pack holding and holding and holding as he was in traffic Sunny Leone just held him and held him and held them top of the stretch let him go he had more horse than anybody in that field and if you look at the time here at a 202 and one amazing they were going really slow at first and then had a mine that bird trip but like asked me since Ed Disney could have wrote that story

[@sr76pablux]

Rich strike father run that way.

[@mattm8932]

Asmussen is a great guy

[@johndennis879]

What a class man he wasn't pissed he was upbeat and said one day I will know thier happiness and when he said we thought we had it but hey guess what your about to get run over by a claimed in a fun attitude what a classy man

[@eddy0043]

What a great mindset this trainer has, his horse ran the perfect race and you can tell his proud of him. It was just not meant to be

[@stevensinger8254]

It seems that the extra eight of a mile made the difference with Epicenter. The winner's pedigree is Keen Ice by a Smart Strike mare. Obviously, he got the 1 1/4 mile distance

[@TAnd-nq6if]

I had the #3 with all exacta, AHHHHH MANNNN

[@caseG80]

That will teach you to reverse it!! Extra 20$ cmon

[@duckshaker]

Tough beat!

[@timothyalan7731]

That is how life operates.

[@diannacarey6508]

Point or no points..someone put wings on that colts feet and he flew by the pack. Can't wait to see him run again in the Preakness. Hang on to your saddle pads, dudes.

[@alexmerel9924]

Rich strike will never win again more than likely mine that bird, giacomo,country house never did perfect storm to get an unreal.win

[@thomashong2938]

@@alexmerel9924 That’s what people thought when Canonero II won in 1971. They were wrong.

[@vivianpowell1732]

My intuition tells me the smartest thing the connections might need to do is to skip the Preakness and Belmont. If Rich Strike loses the Preakness, his legacy will take a hit and a lot of folks will recast his magnificent Kentucky Derby win as a fluke and nothing more.

[@debbiehorn8263]

GOOD SPORT !

[@tonyn9522]

Loved the underdog…80:1 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@lucyknox7166]

I was focused on Zandon and Epicenter as well. Placed Epicenter!!

[@lizgooch1796]

Very classy

[@rskrzz6233]

what a race, it seemed like no one was gonna catch epicenter

[@mrheimdall]

Lightning fast.

[@jam1ga]

Like many other people I thought I had that exact cold. And then I looked and a horse is coming up the rail.

[@rockers7889]

I had him in my .50 pk 3 (3/6,10/all)

[@terryjohnson804]

Wow I had 3/5,8/3,10,13,16,21

[@seadrifter8975]

Epicenter ran great in the KD should be the horse to beat in the Preakness and Belmont ?

[@Rajoo489]

Two great Horses defeated by the Greatest.

[@mofun5315]

You better believe in 2 weeks all eyes gonna be on Rich Strike. lol

[@stuarth4296]

That is the last time you get anywhere near 80-1 on Rich Strike. Or 35-1 on Simplification, either. That Super paid well over a quarter of a million.

[@mofun5315]

@@stuarth4296 Forget money, all eyes will be to see if he can do it again. lol

[@laurakokta8141]

EXACTLY

[@kwgrid]

Think about how much overtime Lady Luck had to put in for that horse to even be in the race. It took two scratches. Freaky. Not even enough time for 99.99% of the betting public to react. I always say to put a couple of bucks on the longest shot in the field. I didn't have a chance to do it this time. Freaky...a little too freaky.

[@tracewalker6883]

Think it is FIX. like the trainer say not even disney could have written this

[@Scubooty]

I'm surprised one of the other deep raters didn't beat him to it. Most of them did have 8f and 9f pedigrees , but that often doesn't matter. Maybe it finally mattered.

[@brendacardona6010]

Once in a life time stuff.

[@joetraveler9651]

Every person in the horse racing game works very hard everyday, and it was tough luck for Steve but it sounded like sour grapes Steve. Stories like this are what make the horse racing game great and thi is what keeps the people coming back! Congrats to the winners of 148.

[@duckshaker]

I thought Steve was very gracious.

[@mattgantner9546]

Classy

[@mariebarassi6466]

Class act-fully disappointing & rightfully so, but grace under pressure in a tough exit interview. God willing he gets it next year.

[@Scubooty]

I'm surprised that this wasn't an outcome that he thought was possible. There are a ton of raters in that race with 8f and 9f pedigrees. So, there was a case for a slow rater with a 10f pedigree being the 1 to get up. You had to totally trust that this track and this speed would all favor a bonfire. If you do that. you can get this horse. Fact is that there were so many things that had to go right for him to get them to slow down that much. Then, you had to think that the other raters wouldn't beat him to it. I think this was where I got off the bus.....I think the winners should buy Manny Franco a steak dinner, because he was there threatening to come up alongside that 2nd place frontrunner (if he even thought about relaxing his horse on that 1st turn.)

[@Scubooty]

I believe Epicenter would of won pretty easily if Rosario had waited a little more before moving up towards the inside (before going into the 2nd turn.) Johnny V. was very sensitive to that, and he took his horse up to battle the 2 frontrunners. Course, if he keeps waiting , he would of risked getting into trouble from being passed , and tired on. I am happy for 1 thing. It was a competition. We rarely see these rich trainers have to compete. They look for easy spots that enrich themselves, but hurt this sport. People know this race isabout bringing horses together against other good horses that they've been ducking. No more ducking. We need more races like this.

[@cacapeepee6711]

No cameras Steve wants to explode with rage. Frkn 30,000 ex- claimed beats his horse lol

[@stuarth4296]

In a match race it would not be close. But racing involves so much more than who the best is...

[@kwgrid]

Gettin' headed by a $30,000 claimer in the Kentucky Derby was not on Asmussen's Bingo card.