Joseph Riccelli’s Asphalt
rolled past the leaders at the eighth pole to win the $46,192 allowance race
for 3-year-olds and up by 1 ½ lengths over Au Moon on Thursday at
Churchill Downs.
Trained by Eddie Kenneally and
ridden by Julien Leparoux, Asphalt raced in mid-pack through the bulk of the 1
1/16-mile race over the Matt Winn Turf Course. Entering the stretch, Leparoux
swung Asphalt four-wide for clear sailing and drew off to complete the distance
in 1:43.10 over a course rated firm.
The victory was worth $25,440 and
increased Asphalt’s bankroll to $188,444 with a record of 13-3-2-4. Asphalt is
a 3-year-old Florida-bred son of War Chant.
Sent off as the odds-on favorite
in the field of nine, Asphalt returned $3.40, $2.80 and $2.40. Au Moon, ridden
by Shaun Bridgmohan, returned $15.80 and $9 with Dr. Smarty Jack
finishing third under Jamie Theriot and paying $4.40 to show.