Benedetta gave trainer Steve Asmussen a new American Beauty record win. (Coady Media/McCarlee Perkins)
Oaklawn Park Release
HOT SPRINGS, AR – He’s a broken record.
Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen notched his record-extending 116th career Oaklawn stakes victory when favored Benedetta delivered in the $150,000 American Beauty for older female sprinters Saturday at Oaklawn.
Benedetta ($5.20) represented the record-extending sixth American Beauty victory for Asmussen and also stretched his streak with at least one stakes victory during an Oaklawn meeting to 30, another local record.
“She was exactly where the racetrack played today. Nice draw, she was away cleanly. Nice filly. We’re just extremely fortunate to have her and we expect her to finish off the meet very strongly,” trainer Asmussen commented.
Ridden by Asmussen’s son, Keith, Benedetta finished 1 ¼ lengths ahead of Fibber, with Grade 2 winner and supplemental nominee Taxed another neck farther back in third. Fourth-place finisher Moonlit Lady, the early leader, was followed, in order, by Pharoah’s Heart and First Hill. Tanya Showers was scratched.
“A beautiful traveler. She’s incredibly special. I can’t thank the Shahs (owner Kaleem Shah) enough for the opportunity to ride a ride a horse like that. I opted to be pretty patient because she’s rewarded all patient rides,” said jockey Keith Asmussen.
“Going for four in a row and her previous three, there was patience (from riders) down the backside and were rewarded for it. So, I tried to follow the same (plan).”
Benedetta (8-5) broke with the leaders from post 6, but Keith Asmussen opted to stalk Moonlit Lady and First Hill through a :22.13 opening quarter and a :46.68 half-mile. Benedetta moved to the lead with a four-wide bid turning for home and was edging clear at the finish. The winning time over a fast track was 1:12.06.
The American Beauty marked the fourth consecutive victory for Benedetta, a daughter of 2018 Oaklawn Handicap winner City of Light. Benedetta was making her 4-year-old debut Saturday after closing 2024 with a victory in the $200,000 Cheryl S. White Memorial Stakes at six furlongs Nov. 25 at Mahoning Valley. The Cheryl S. White Memorial was her first career stakes victory.
Owned by Kaleem Shah, Benedetta has a 5-1-1 record from nine lifetime starts and earnings of $441,150. She was purchased for $750,000 at the OBS March Sale of Two-Year-Olds in training in 2023.
Steve Asmussen also won the American Beauty in 2001 with My Brent’s Diamond, 2004 (Eternal Cup), 2005 (Souris), 2006 (More Moonlight) and 2009 (Rated Fiesty).
Racing continues Sunday at Oaklawn, with first post 12:30 p.m. (Central).
