Asmussen ‘Dreaming Big’ Ahead of Magnitude’s Return in Iowa Derby

[Wandering Eyes]

Forced to miss the Triple Crown series after exiting his sensational GII Fasig-Tipton Risen Star S. victory with an ankle chip, Magnitude (Not This Time) makes his highly anticipated return in Saturday evening's $250,000 Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows. He is the 9-5 morning-line favorite.

The Winchell Thoroughbreds colorbearer was a 9 3/4-length, front-running winner of the Risen Star at odds of 43-1 Feb. 15, good for a 108 Beyer Speed Figure. His final time of 1:48.85 was the fastest Risen Star in seven runnings (including one year with split divisions) since it was elongated to nine furlongs in 2020.

Future GI Preakness S. winner Journalism (Curlin) matched Magnitude's gaudy figure two weeks later in the GII DK Horse San Felipe S. at Santa Anita Mar. 1.

The only sophomore to earn a higher rating this season has been GI Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont Stakes winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief), who received a 109 Beyer Speed Figure in the Belmont.

Magnitude has posted seven breezes for Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen at Churchill Downs, including a five-furlong move in 1:00 (2/19) June 22, since having that aforementioned chip removed by Dr. Larry Bramlage four days after the Risen Star.

“With a horse that has run as fast as him in the past, we're dreaming big,” Asmussen said.

“His Risen Star was brilliant in time, as well as who he beat that day. Obviously, the ankle chip was not ideal, especially the timing of it. But the rehab at Becky Maker's went well. He's done exceptionally well since he came back into training and has put in some very good recent works. I feel that the Iowa Derby is the right spot to get him back started.”

Magnitude got his picture taken twice last year and capped his five-race, 2-year-old campaign with a well-beaten second-place finish in the Gun Runner S. Dec. 21. He finished sixth-beaten 2 3/4 lengths-in the slop in the GIII Lecomte S. Jan. 18 before his breakout performance in the Risen Star.

Magnitude will join Asmussen's string in Saratoga following his trip to Altoona this weekend. The stakes schedule at the Spa is topped by the GI DraftKings Travers S. Aug. 23.

“The circumstances are what we're looking for as far as the way the racetrack is playing, the (1 1/16 miles) distance, and it being a little cooler in the evening,” Asmussen said of the Iowa Derby. “Hopefully, we can get back in the mix with horses that his numbers indicate he belongs with.”

One of 24 graded winners for Taylor Made's leading young sire Not This Time, Magnitude was produced by the Bernardini mare Rockadelic, a daughter of MGISW and GI Kentucky Oaks runner-up Octave (Unbridled's Song). The $310,000 Keeneland November weanling turned $450,000 Keeneland September yearling was bred in Kentucky by Ron Stolich.

Asmussen has trained two of Not This Time's top performers thus far–2022 Travers winner and champion 3-year-old colt Epicenter, and Cogburn, who set a North American record for 5 1/2 furlongs while capturing the grassy GI Jaipur S. in :59.80 at Saratoga last year.

“Not This Time has been unbelievable to me,” Asmussen said. “Epicenter being champion 3-year-old, then Cogburn running 5 1/2 in under a minute last year, still one of the craziest races I've ever been a part of. We did acquire Magnitude because of his physical similarities to Epicenter and also being by Not This Time gave us a level of confidence. Magnitude has proven to be worthy.”

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