Kentucky Derby Trainers Steve Asmussen, Brad Cox Preview Run for the Roses

Steve Asmussen was 70 yards away from winning his first Kentucky Derby. A year later the trainer with more wins than any other in North America reflected on Epicenter‘s close call beneath the Twin Spires.

“Joel (Rosario) gave him a great trip. Seventy yards away it’s just ideal, but ends anything but,” Asmussen told KSR. “That’s over and done with. We’re very fortunate to be back here with another chance.”

Asmussen almost didn’t get another chance in 2023. Disarm needed to finish in the money in the Lexington Stakes after a third-place finish in the Louisiana Derby just to qualify for Saturday’s run for the roses.

“I was very concerned in the Lexington backing him up from a mile and 3/16 to a mile and a 16th. We were fortunate enough to get enough points to be in the Derby and he’s trained really well at Churchill since,” said the Hall of Fame trainer.

Disarm has trained well at Churchill Downs, drawing buzz from some wise guys. The colt also has raced farther than most to this point in his career. Take it from Asmussen, that extra 1/16 makes all the difference.

“From somebody who got run down the last 70 yards of the Derby, you better be able to do the whole mile and a quarter.”

Brad Cox has FOUR Kentucky Derby Entries

Brad Cox has tasted victory in the Kentucky Derby, but not in the Winner’s Circle. Mandaloun was named the winner of the 2021 Kentucky Derby after Medina Spirit was disqualified for failing a post-race drug test. This year he has four horses in the field, more than any other trainer.

Two of his horses drew the inside posts. Wood Memorial runner-up Hit Show is No. 1, next to Blue Grass Stakes runner-up, Verifying. Many see the inside draw as a disadvantage, but not the Louisville native.

“In the Kentucky Derby there’s 20 horses. You can get a bad trip from anywhere,” said Cox.

His top contender, Louisiana Derby winner Angel of Empire, has generated some buzz on the backside of Churchill Downs after a few impressive workouts. Cox believes his horse has the mental fortitude to handle the pressure of racing in front of a capacity Kentucky Derby crowd.

“His breezes are a little more consistent here than they were all winter. He was a touch inconsistent with his works throughout the winter. but he’s really coming around. All of his works at Churchill have been very, very good. Excited about his chance on Saturday, he drew well, so we’ll see how it goes.”

Cox added, “He’s another one with a great mind. He can take everything in in the paddock. When he ran at Arkansas, that’s a huge crowd there, a lot going on, and he’s able to take it all in and perform well. From a mental standpoint, he should be able to handle 150,000 people.”

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