Asmussen aiming for first Kentucky Derby win

Hall of Fame trainer has started over 25 horses in the Derby

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW)- Hall of Fame horse trainer Steve Asmussen is in search of his first Kentucky Derby win this year and it’s been that way for awhile.

For the 151st Derby, he has two contenders at 20-1 odds. That’s Tiztastic and Publisher, the latter of which hasn’t broken his maiden. Both horses will start the race next to each other at post positions 13 and 14 on Saturday.

“(Not winning) makes us want it that much more,” said Asmussen. “I think we’ve been blessed with some of the greatest horses of all time.”

The accomplished trainer has won the Kentucky Oaks, Preakness and Belmont, but after 26 tries in the Derby he is still optimistic. Some of that feeling comes from the fact that his horses have had success at Churchill Downs last year. Both had a pair of top three finishes in the fall.

“They’ve settled in nicely. They’ve picked up their works the longer they’ve been here,” said Asmussen. “”I think there’s a Derby win in our future. Maybe we just waited for a maiden to get it done.”