ASMUSSEN TOPS THE CHART AT REMINGTON
Steve Asmussen, a National Racing Hall of Fame and Oklahoma Horse Racing Hall of Fame trainer, won his 13th Remington Park title in 2017. The accomplishment gives him the all-time lead at Remington Park for seasonal championships.
Asmussen, of Arlington, Texas, had 82 winners for the season at Remington Park. In winning his 13th Chuck Taliaferro Award as the top trainer at Remington Park, Asmussen has now won more season titles in Oklahoma City than any other trainer. He came into the 2017 season tied with Donnie Von Hemel as each had won 12 season titles here.
Asmussen also led all trainers with a record for earnings with $2,252,190. No trainer had ever topped the two-million mark in earnings during a Remington Park season until this year. Asmussen’s top win came with Untrapped as he captured the Grade 3, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby in September. It was Asmussen’s first victory in the Oklahoma Derby.
Asmussen also had five training wins on Dec. 12, equaling the most on one racing program at Remington Park. The achievement tied the mark of five wins on one local card, set by Wade White in 1993.
BROBERG, END ZONE ATHLETICS TOP LISTS BY WINS IN NORTH AMERICA
According to final statistics released by Equibase, End Zone Athletics, the nom de course for trainer Karl Broberg, finished as the leading owner by wins in North America for a second straight season with 237 victories from 950 starts.
In the category of leading trainer by North American wins, Karl Broberg finished atop those standings for the fourth straight year. In 2017 Broberg won 412 races from 1,846 starts for purse earnings of $6,282,578. His 412 wins in 2017 follow a 2016 season where his horses won 367 races. In 2015 Broberg won 420 races after taking 325 in 2014.
TTA AUCTION OF 2018 STALLION BREEDINGS
The online auction of 2018 stallion breedings has closed, but many are still available for purchase at the minimum bid price on a first-come, first-served basis. Check out the list of stallions at https://texasthoroughbred.com/stallion-register/online-stallion-auction and call Mary Ruyle in the TTA office at 512.458.6133 if you are interested in purchasing.
SERVICES FOR JACK VAN BERG
Services for Jack Van Berg, the Hall of Fame trainer who died Wednesday will be held Monday, January 8th, according to his son, Tom Van Berg.
Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home Chapel, located at 155 Section Line Road, in Hot Springs.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. at Horner Hall in Hot Springs Convention Center, located at 134 Convention Blvd. At Jack’s request’s, please come dressed in your favorite jeans and cowboy boots aka “Cowboy casual.”
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Humane Society of Garland County or the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. Jack was passionate about WHOA (Water Hay Oats Alliance). He wanted to encourage everyone to support the cause for clean racing to protect our horses, the breed, the jockeys and our future. www.waterhayoatsalliance.com.
The complete obituary can be found at http://www.caruth-hale.com/obituaries.
NOTES: January 15 is the consignment deadline for the Texas 2-Year-Old Sale slated for April 10th in the Thoroughbred Sales Pavilion at Lone Star Park…Live Thoroughbred racing returns in two weeks with the start of the 2018 Thoroughbred Meet at Sam Houston Race Park. Entries will be taken on Tuesday, January 16th for Friday, January 19th, with entries taken on Wednesday, January 17th for Saturday, January 20th…The next regular meeting of the TTA Board of Directors is scheduled for January 27th at Sam Houston Race Park.