Asmussen Trains Top Two in Debutante Stakes

Adhara, an impressive maiden special winner May 28 at Churchill, won her debut by 6 ¾ lengths for trainer Steve Asmussen. The daughter of Cowboy Cal will get an extra furlong to negotiate in the Bashford Manor and gets a rider change with Cory Lanerie taking over for Ricardo Santana Jr. Handicappers looking to find fault with the favorite may also note that Adhara’s winning debut came against just four rivals, and that the filly is certain to encounter more pressure early in the race if she resorts to similar stalking tactics.

Difficult to separate Asmussen runners

Asmussen will also saddle second choice Areolite (5/2), who also broke her maiden in her career debut with a one length victory over Cosmic Evolution (5/1) who returns for the rematch. Areolite, a daughter of Tapit out of a Gone West mare, retains the services of winning pilot Julien Leparoux and will break from post six. The gray or roan filly employed an aggressive stalk and pounce style in her debut while earning a 62 Beyer Speed Figure – just one point less than the figure earned by her stablemate.

Borel likes Cosmic Evolution 

Veteran jockey Calvin Borel has been high on Cosmic Evolution since her debut, and the filly has returned to work steadily in the month of June for trainer Lon Wiggins. The daughter of Proud Citizen should be much tighter for her first stakes try at square odds.