North America’s leading Thoroughbred trainer Steve Asmussen (photo) has sent 15 horses to campaign at Zia Park in Hobbs, NM, where leading Quarter Horse trainer Paul Jones is also stabled. The New Mexico facility, located on the New Mexico-Texas border, 97 miles from Midland, TX and 69 miles from Carlsbad, NM, is thus the only racetrack in the nation to claim the leading trainers from the two leading breeds at the same meet.
Asmussen’s horses have earned $16.5 million throughout North America this year. Jones’ runners, including recent All American Futurity winner Runnning Brook Gal, have banked $4.5 million, while racing in Southern California, New Mexico and Texas.
“We shipped in horses to run at Zia Park last year,” said Asmussen’s assistant Darren Fleming. “We brought horses this year because the (purse) money is there and the races fill.”
Asmussun has a lifelong connection to New Mexico racing through his father, Keith, a former jockey and trainer on the New Mexico circuit, and his mother, Marilyn, also a trainer. Steve, who received a jockey’s license at 16, rode for three years in New Mexico, California and New York.
Red Rock Creek, an earner of $575,812 owned and trained by Steve Asmussen, is currently at Zia Park, being conditioned for the $200,000 Zia Park Distance Championship on December 6.
Paul Jones, who has earned seven AQHA annual champion trainer titles, won the last two runnings of the G1 Zia Park Championship; the last three G2 Hobbs America Derbies; as well as last year’s G2 Hobbs America Futurity and G1 Southwest Juvenile Championship.
All American Futurity winner Runnning Brook Gal is one of 30 Jones-trained horses at Zia Park’s current meet. “We’re running her in the (Hobbs America Futurity) trials and she’s doing great,” said Lisa Saumell, who manages Jones’ New Mexico operation. “We’ll then point to the Southwest Juvenile (Championship).”
The Hobbs America Futurity trials will be held on Saturday, September 26, with the finals on October 11. The Southwest Juvenile Championship is on November 29.