Trainer Steve Asmussen was already in a celebratory mood long before the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs on Saturday.
The horseman became the second North American trainer to record 8,000 victories when Lookin at Lee took the 3RD race under the Twin Spires with jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. aboard.
Last year on Kentucky Derby Saturday, Lookin at Lee nearly gave Asmussen a first win in the Run for the Roses when finishing second. There was no doubt about the victory on this occasion, as the bay son of Lookin at Lucky scored by 2 1/4 lengths while going 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.60 over the fast track.
Asmussen, who was inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame in 2016, now trails only Dale Baird (9,445) in victories.
