Asmussen breaks his own wins record

Wire, Special Reports

Steve Asmussen broke his own record for most wins in a year Sunday when Prophesy won the first race at Remington Park to give the trainer victory No. 556.

Asmussen, who trains reigning Horse of the Year Curlin, set the record of 555 wins in 2004.

On Saturday, he equaled the mark with two winners, and topped the record after Prophesy, a 3-year-old gray filly, won by a half-length as the even-money favorite.

"We've had a tremendous year, made possible by some tremendous opportunities and my outstanding help," Asmussen said from the Fair Grounds, where he had several horses entered Sunday.

Curlin gave Asmussen some of his biggest wins in 2008, taking the Stephen Foster Handicap, the Woodward Stakes and the Jockey Club Gold Cup. He also trains Pyro, winner of the Risen Star Stakes and the Louisiana Derby.

"The success we've had with the Curlins and the Pyros has been fantastic," Asmussen said. "But we came from a small, midwestern track, and I like to think that we remember where we came from."

Asmussen had 11 horses entered at six different tracks Sunday.

As the trainer watched the record-setting race, he did not realize it was on tape delay.

"I was watching and my wife called to congratulate me. I said, '"They're at the half-mile pole!' " he said.

Asked about reaching 600 wins before the end of the year, he said, "Churchill closes this week and Woodbine and Remington are right behind them, so there aren't a lot of opportunities. Five-ninety, maybe."

Jack o' Lantern pulls upset

Jack o' Lantern, given a perfect trip by Isaias Enriquez, found room along the rail in the stretch and pulled a big upset in Sunday's $103,700 Hollywood Prevue at Hollywood Park.

Favorite Azul Leon finished a half-length back in second in the Grade III event. Ventana and Arashi Cat were another half-length back in a dead heat for third while previously undefeated Backbackbackgone finished fifth and Congor Bay sixth.

Jack o' Lantern was the longest price in the field of six 2-year-olds at 19-1. The win mutuel matched the race high by First Norman in 1984.

Control System wins at Churchill Downs

Control System took control in deep stretch and held off a late charge from Awsugahnow to win Sunday's featured $44,260 race at Churchill Downs by three-quarters of a length.

Trained by Bernie Flint and ridden by Kent Desormeaux, Control System ran the 7 furlongs on the main track in 1:23.95. The victory was the seventh in 12 career starts and her career bankroll swelled to $368,844 with Sunday's win.