Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma (TRAO)

12 hours ago

JOCKEY ERIK ASMUSSEN GETS RIDING DOUBLE FOR DAD, TRAINER STEVE ASMUSSEN WITH FEATURE RACE WIN ABOARD PAPA KEN

For Immediate Release

Thursday, August 27, 2026
by Richard Linihan


OKLAHOMA CITY – The Asmussen duo of trainer Steve and jockey Erik were hot Thursday night, as they teamed up for two wins at Remington Park, including victory in the featured allowance-optional claiming $30,000 race with Papa Ken.



The 3-year-old Kentucky-bred colt, owned by Ken T. Reimer of Indian Shores, Fla., and bred by Brad and Misty Grady, was ridden perfectly by Erik, who had enough in the stretch to hold off J.P. Race, who is owned by the all-time winningest owner at Remington Park, Danny Caldwell. So, you had the all-time top trainer battling the all-time top owner for bragging rights in the ninth race. Papa Ken had a little more in the stretch, digging in to defeat J.P. Race at six furlongs on the main fast track. The race was written for 3-year-olds-and-older that had not won two races other than maiden, claiming, starter, optional, rating, restricted or state-bred or had not won three races lifetime or were running for a claiming price of $30,000.



Papa Ken won by one full length in a winning time of 1:10.58 besting the 9-5 wagering favorite, J.P. Race, ridden by Tyler Bacon. Papa Ken, by Yaupon, out of the Blame mare Whatashame, was sent off at 9-2 odds and paid $11.60 to win, $5.20 to place and $3 to show. Risk It (3-1) checked in third in eight-horse field. Papa Ken bided his time in second down the backstretch with the front-running Sawasdee, who faded later in the race. When he did, Papa Ken took over and was in the lead at the top of the stretch. He cut into early fractions of :21.90 for the first quarter-mile, :44.99 for the half-mile, and :57.79 for five furlongs.

Papa Ken pocketed $23,802 for the win in the $40,000 allowance optional claiming race and improved his lifetime record to eight starts, three wins and two thirds for a bankroll of $153,878. Reimer purchased this horse as a 2-year-old for $160,000 in the Ocala Breeders Spring Sale for 2-year-olds in training in April 2025.



Others jockeys with two wins Thursday night were Ramon Vazquez, Stewart Elliott and Richard Eramia. Mindy Willis joined Asmussen, saddling two winners on the night. With Elliott’s double, he moved within four of 6,000 lifetime trips to the winner’s circle.



“I feel very fortunate to be able to, first of all, have this long a career,” said the 61-year-old jockey who was born and raised in Canada. “I saw Javier (Castellano) win his 6,000th yesterday (Wednesday) and we’ve been good friends for awhile now. My wife and he went to school together in Venezuela. He and I talked about this race to 6,000. We kind of joked around about who would get there first, but no friendly wager on it.”



Remington Park racing continues Friday night when Elliott will have four more mounts to try to close in on that milestone. The first race is set Friday at 6:30pm-Central.

Caption: Papa Ken (2) outlasts J. P. Race (1) in Thursday’s feature at Remington Park under Erik Asmussen.

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