Trainer Steve Asmussen has five entrants nationwide Tuesday, needing just 3 victories to tie Dale Baird’s all-time career record for North American victories. Asmussen has 9,442 wins, so Baird’s 9,445 is within his range today. The barn went 0-3 on Monday between Colonial Downs, Louisiana Downs and Indiana Grand single starters. 

Louisiana Downs // Race 2 // 4:11 pm ET // optional claiming // 6 furlongs
#5 Pickens (9-5 ML)

Comments: Favorite makes hefty drop in class and will try to take these wire to wire in what figures to be at least a contended pace. 1/ST BET win projection 30% (top race pick). 

Louisiana Downs // Race 3 // 4:37 pm ET // claiming // 7-1/2 furlongs (turf)
#3 Bella Belle (7-2 ML)

Comments: Winless in 6 tries since coming to the barn from Greg Foley, including 3 times as a favorite. Class and local course all part of the recent slide. Must wake up. 1/ST BET win projection 24% (top race pick). 

Indiana Grand // Race 6 // 5:00 pm ET // claiming // 1 mile (turf)
#3 Treaty of Paris (7-2 ML)

Comments: Filly won a maiden special weight on dirt at Indiana Grand this season and drops in for a claiming tag for the first time in her last 6 starts. She’s yet to try turf, but has run well on synthetic. The morning line favorite is on a class rise, so this class drop could be significant enough. 1/ST BET win projection 9%. 

Louisiana Downs // Race 5 // 5:29 pm ET // claiming // 7-1/2 furlongs (turf)
#10 Dreamonmebaby (4-1 ML)

Comments: Also-eligible will need some help to draw in, then likely will be stuck out in a disadvantageous, wide post. The distance should suit, but the turf surface has not been his forte (only 1 grass start from 16 bids, and off the board at that). The forecast for rain could help. 1/ST BET win projection for turf 6%. 

Louisiana Downs // Race 6 // 5:55 pm ET // allowance // 6-1/2 furlongs
#4 Midnight Karma (9-2 ML)

Comments: Wire-to-wire last out over the track and distance, he’ll take a sizable class leap now while having shown improvement in his 3 starts since moving to the Asmussen barn. 1/ST BET win projection 17% (second race pick).

Looking Ahead:

Asmussen has 2 Saratoga starters set for Wednesday and no entrants on Thursday.