Asmussen employee dies at 27
HOT SPRINGS - Harry “Hub” Johnson, trainer Steve Asmussen’s Oaklawn Park barn foreman, died Friday in Kentucky, Oaklawn media relations director Jennifer Hoyt said Saturday morning.
A barn foreman works under the supervision of the trainer and helps with barn operations each day. Asmussen’s Oaklawn division is overseen by assistant Darren Fleming.
Johnson, 27, left Hot Springs following well-publicized allegations levied a little more than a week ago against Asmussen and his top assistant, Scott Blasi, by an animal rights organization.
The allegations by People for Ethical Treatment of Animals, which include animal cruelty and misuse of medication, began generating national attention March 20, following the release of a roughly 9½ -minute PETA video in conjunction with a New York Times article.
Fallout from the story and video included Asmussen dismissing Blasi and the trainer losing at least two clients, Zayat Stables (Ahmed Zayat) and Peachtree Stable (John Fort).
Fort moved two horses at Oaklawn from Asmussen to trainer Brad Cox on March 22. Zayat moved four horses at Oaklawn from Asmussen to Hall of Fame trainer D.
Wayne Lukas on Monday.
Johnson was born in Lubbock, Texas, and resided in Versailles, Ky., at the time of his death, according to his Arkansas Racing Commission license.
Hoyt said she believed Johnson also had lost his father recently.
Grisham update
Retired Daily Racing Form columnist Don Grisham of Hot Springs has been moved to a private room at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock following a stroke late last week.
Grisham, 83, was conscious and aware that his wife, Iris, was in the room, Jennifer Hoyt, Oaklawn’s director of media relations, said Saturday morning.
Grisham was stricken Thursday night and initially transported to Mercy Hospital Hot Springs before being airlifted to UAMS in serious condition, Oaklawn officials said.
Grisham, a Hot Springs native and Henderson State graduate, was a Daily Racing Form columnist for more than 30 years before retiring in the 1990s. He later was a member of Oaklawn’s media relations department.
New leader
Federico Villafranco snapped a 21-21 tie with a slumping Steve Asmussen and Chris Richard for the meet’s leading trainer when Proceed Bee won Saturday’s fourth race.
Asmussen had topped the standings, or had been tied for the lead, at the end of each racing day since March 8, the 32nd day of the meeting. Saturday was the 44th day of racing.
Asmussen, who has divisions across the country, is 0 for 22 at Oaklawn since Six Spot won the seventh race March 16.
Asmussen’s losing streak began in the following race when favored Street Story ran fifth in a second-level allowance sprint.
Asmussen is seeking his third consecutive Oaklawn training title, and sixth since 2007.
Villafranco, who trains privately for Danny Caldwell, Oaklawn’s leading owner this year, and Richard are seeking their first Oaklawn training title.
Caldwell has 21 victories and all but clinched his first Oaklawn owner’s title with nine days remaining in the meeting. Maggi Moss is second with 13 victories.
Final furlong
The infield was open for the first time this season Saturday. … The track was upgraded from good to fast for Saturday’s final seven races. … Jockey Israel Ocampo escaped serious injury after being unseated shortly after the start of Saturday’s third race. Me ’n Amanda, who unseated Ocampo, was caught without incident. … Shakin Sugar was disqualified from a runner-up finish in Saturday’s third race and placed last for cutting off Wonderworkinpower down the backstretch of the 5½-furlong claiming event. … Fabulous Kid, a late Triple Crown nominee, held off The Big Beast by a neck to win Saturday’s eighth race, a maiden-allowance sprint. Both horses were making their career debuts.
… Trainer Ron Moquett of Hot Springs said Right to Vote “probably” will make his next start in the $600,000 Grade II Oaklawn Handicap on April 12.
Owned by Fort Smith-based B J D Thoroughbreds, Right to Vote won the $100,000 Essex Handicap on Feb. 15. … Moquett said Gentlemen’s Bet, owned by Harry Rosenblum of Little Rock, is still scheduled to make his 2014 debut in the $300,000 Grade III Count Fleet Sprint Handicap on April 10. Moquett said Robby Albarado would have the mount. … Albarado, Oaklawn’s leading rider in 1996 and 1997, will be reuniting with his longtime agent, Lenny Pike, next month in Kentucky, Moquett said. … Ride On Curlin is scheduled to work this morning under new rider Jon Court in preparation for the $1 million Grade I Arkansas Derby on April 12. … Calvin Borel will ride Conquest Titan in the Arkansas Derby, said the jockey’s agent, Jerry Hissam of Hot Springs. … Pearl Turn, the first career winner for trainer Will VanMeter, worked a half-mile in :51 on Saturday morning. She is a candidate for the $600,000 Grade I Apple Blossom Handicap on April 11. … Defending Apple Blossom champion On Fire Baby is scheduled to work this morning in preparation for next month’s race.
At the post DAY 44 ATTENDANCE 21,207 ON-TRACK HANDLE $1,306,593.20 OFF-TRACK HANDLE $2,830,205.42 TOTAL HANDLE $4,136,798.62 CLASSIX CARRYOVER None SATURDAY’S STARS Ramon Vazquez, Terry Thompson and Jon Court all rode two winners. Trainers Brad Cox and Joe Martin each saddled two winners. Both of Martin’s winners were for owners K.K. and Devi Jayaraman.
TODAY’S TIMES First post for the nine races is 1:30 p.m. Gates open at 11 a.m. TELEVISION HRTV (races 7-9), TVG (full card). Oaklawn Replay Show (8 p.m., Resort Cable Channel 5, Hot Springs; 11 p.m., KARZ, Channel 42, Little Rock).
PRICES Admission $2. Parking in Oaklawn lots $2. Reserved seats $4.50. Programs $2. Daily Racing Form $5, $6.50, $7.50. Tip sheets $2-$5.
TODAY’S SIMULCASTING SCHEDULE Tampa Bay Downs (11:25 a.m.), Calder (11:55 a.m.), Gulfstream Park (12:05 p.m.), Turfway Park (12:10 p.m.), Aqueduct (12:20 p.m.), Fair Grounds (1:25 p.m.), Hawthorne (1:45 p.m.), Santa Anita (2:30 p.m.), Golden Gate Fields (2:45 p.m.).
Today’s wagering menu
Win-place-show, exacta, trifecta and superfecta wagering offered on all races
Daily double (races 1-2, 8-9)
CLASSIX (races 3-8)
Pick-3 (rolling begins with race 2)
Pick-4 (races 2-5, races 6-9)
Sports, Pages 32 on 03/30/2014