Steve Asmussen was 70 yards away from winning his first Kentucky Derby. A year later the trainer with more wins than any other in North America reflected on Epicenter‘s close call beneath the Twin Spires.
“Joel (Rosario) gave him a great trip. Seventy yards away it’s just ideal, but ends anything but,” Asmussen told KSR. “That’s over and done with. We’re very fortunate to be back here with another chance.”
Asmussen almost didn’t get another chance in 2023. Disarm needed to finish in the money in the Lexington Stakes after a third-place finish in the Louisiana Derby just to qualify for Saturday’s run for the roses.