Booth gives trainer Asmussen four Sprint Handicaps in a row. (Coady Media)
Robert Yates/Oaklawn
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Like father, like son? You bet.
Booth repelled the challenge of Anarchist turning for home enroute to a front-running three-quarter length victory over stablemate Ryvit in the $500,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3) for older horses Saturday at Oaklawn.
Booth, the 2-5 favorite, represented the fourth consecutive Count Fleet victory for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen and his record-extending seventh overall. Asmussen won the 2019 Count Fleet with Mitole, who was crowned North America’s champion male sprinter that year. Booth is from the first crop of Mitole, who was North American’s leading freshman sire of 2023.
Ridden by Erik Asmussen, Booth ($2.80) notched his third consecutive stakes victory this season at Oaklawn. Booth dominated his rivals by a combined seven front-running lengths in the inaugural $145,000 Commodore Overnight Feb. 24 and the $250,000 Whitmore (G3) March 15. Both races were six furlongs.
Unlike the Commodore Overnight and Whitmore, Booth faced early pace pressure in the Count Fleet.
From the outside, Anarchist, a Grade 2 winner for Southern California-based trainer Doug O’Neill, pressed Booth through a :21.87 opening quarter and a :44.66 half-mile. Booth and Anarchist matched strides to the wire, with the heavy favorite edging clear late. Ryvit, also trained by Steve Asmussen, closed well to nip Anarchist by a head for second. Anarchist was followed, in order, by Happy American, Tejano Twist, Devil’s Tower and Payne. Booth, who carried top weight of 123 pounds, ran six furlongs over a fast track in 1:09.82.
.@nancyuryholthus talks to trainer Steve Asmussen after he gets his fourth straight G3 Count Fleet win with Booth! pic.twitter.com/GC8btPBRXc
— TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) April 12, 2025
The Count Fleet, Booth’s third career stakes victory and sixth victory in 10 starts overall, increased his earnings to $761,191. William and Corinne Heiligbrodt, along with Jackpot Farm (Terry Green), purchased Booth for $225,000 at the 2023 OBS March Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training. Whispering Oaks Farm (Carrol Castille) is now a co-owner.
The Heiligbrodts, among the most successful owners in Oaklawn history, also campaigned Mitole. Steve Asmussen also won the Count Fleet in 2013 (Justin Phillip), 2014 (Lemon Drop Dream), 2022 (Jackie’s Warrior), 2023 (Skelly) and 2024 (Skelly).
Asmussen is the father of Erik and Keith Asmussen.
Count Fleet Quotes
Winning Jockey Erik Asmussen (Booth): “Really showed his class today. He didn’t have everything his own way. He handled the pressure and his class prevailed. He didn’t break quite as good as I wanted. I think he kind of missed it (break) just a touch. But he’s still so athletic and so fast away from there, I’m still on the lead where I wanted to be.”
Winning Trainer Steve Asmussen (Booth): “He ran an incredible race. Faced a lot of pressure, :44 and (4/5), a big horse on his outside (Anarchist) and proved his quality today. Just extremely proud to win such a significant race; been a very special race. The (co-owners William and Corinne) Heiligbrodts and their partnership group, and with a son of Mitole who had also won this race for us, on a beautiful day here at Oaklawn – couldn’t be any nicer.”
Un récord para siempre?
— @haraspaumar (@haraspaumar) April 12, 2025
En @OaklawnRacing en el Count Fleet Sprint Handicap, llegan 1ro y 2do dos ejemplares de Steve Asmussen, el primero montado por su hijo Erik Asmussen, Booth y el segundo, también por otro hijo del entrenador, Keith Asmussen con Ryvit!
Foto: Oaklawn Park pic.twitter.com/jfWUyoXjlq
Second-Place Jockey Keith Asmussen (Ryvit): “He (Ryvit) is ultra-talented, so I’m excited for every opportunity I have to ride him. The race developed kind of like I expected. You have to go and respect Booth and if nobody’s going to apply the pressure, they’re just going to give it to him on a silver platter. Super proud of my brother for sitting chilly, even though it’s a super high-pressure circumstance. To see him keep his composure and deliver, I’m incredibly proud of my brother.”
Third-Place Jockey Kyle Frey (Anarchist): “He (Booth) was the horse to beat. I knew if I let him get a breather like he’s had the last two times, it was going to be an easy one for him. So, I decided to stay right there on him and apply the pressure. Best horse won.”
