The 2-year-old Tiz the Law filly Book’em proved more than ready for a step up in class Nov. 30 at Churchill, winning a one-turn-mile first-level allowance race by more than 11 lengths, her 89 Beyer among the highest in her division this year.
Book’em cleared the maiden ranks and won her second start in restricted competition, but made short work of stronger rivals last weekend, disputing the early pace before drawing away to an easy win.
“We kind of took the low road because she needed that to develop mentally,” trainer Bret Calhoun said Wednesday. “She really grew up the other day, didn’t make any mistakes. She wasn’t green, she was professional, galloped out strong, did everything you’d want in a nice prospect. I don’t think two turns will be any issue with her.”
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Book’em winters at Fair Grounds, and Calhoun has her penciled in for a 3-year-old debut there Feb. 15 in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes.
Asmussen trio return in style
A trio of Steve Asmussen-trained 3-year-olds turned in encouraging comeback races over the last month at Churchill.
Hall of Fame won a first-level allowance going a one-turn mile Dec. 1 by two lengths with a 92 Beyer, while Booth on the same card captured a second-level sprint allowance by 1 1/2 lengths. Booth goes to Oaklawn, said Asmussen, who believes the colt can carry his form beyond the 6 1/2 furlongs he raced in his first start since April.
Hall of Fame will be stabled at Fair Grounds, with no plans set for his next outing, though Asmussen termed Track Phantom a potential runner in the Tenacious Stakes on Dec. 21 in New Orleans. Track Phantom, winner of the Gun Runner and the Lecomte and second to Sierra Leone in the Risen Star last Fair Grounds meet, finished a good second racing over a one-turn mile Nov. 9, his first start since the Kentucky Derby.
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