(June 4, 2009) - Saturday’s 20th running of the $89,370 TTA Sales Futurity Stakes (Colts and Geldings Division) for two-year-olds, to be run at five furlongs, features five promising juveniles trained by Lone Star Park’s all-time leading trainer Steve Asmussen. Show Me Why, a chestnut son of Whywhywhy, leads the charge for Asmussen who will be seeking his fourth win overall, and his third win in a row in the TTA Sales Futurity Stakes (Colts and Geldings Division). His previous winners include: Expect Will (2005), Namesake (2007), and Lyin’ Heart (2008).

Show Me Why, owned by J. Kirk Robison, has been installed as the 8-5 morning line favorite by track oddsmaker Rick Lee after recording the fastest qualifying time at Lone Star Park on May 22.

"He was extremely impressive in his debut and everything has gone smooth with his training since then,” said Asmussen who is expecting a solid effort in his second career start.

Twelve Oclock High, trained by Michael Stewart appears to be the biggest threat to Show Me Why. A bay son of Grand Appointment, Twelve Oclock High is 2-for-2 entering the Sales Futurity final. Also of note in the Sales Futurity Stakes is Catarusky, another Asmussen trainee. Catarusky has finished second in both of his starts to begin his career, being been beaten by Twelve Oclock High each time.

The field from the rail out, with jockey and morning line odds listed in parenthesis, consists of: Western Forum (Eddie Martin Jr., 15-1); Show Me Why (Luis Quinonez, 8-5); Tomball (Eguard Tejera, 2-1); Twelve Oclock High (Chris Landeros, 2-1); Catarusky (Cliff Berry, 2-1); Scottevan (Larry Taylor, 30-1); Kerrville (Glen Murphy, 30-1); Uncle Booty (Bobby Walker Jr., 30-1); Billet (Cliff Berry, 2-1); Majestic Vintage (Tony McNeil, 15-1); and Early Dancer (Ramsey Zimmerman, 15-1). Tomball, Catarusky and Billet will run as an entry, and Western Forum and Early Dancer are also coupled.

Scheduled as race nine on the 11-race program, the TTA Sales Futurity Stakes (Colts and Geldings Division) has an approximate post time of 5:11 P.M. CDT.

Minacious, Bud’s Little Edge Lead Asmussen Six-Horse Assault in Fillies Division

The 17th running of the $88,740 TTA Sales Futurity Stakes (Fillies Division) is the first half of a stakes doubleheader for two-year-olds at Lone Star Park on Saturday. Trainer Steve Asmussen will be difficult to ignore while sending out six fillies, including Little Brother Farm’s Minacious, and Clayton Walker’s Bud’s Little Edge.

A bay daughter of Valid Expectations, Minacious rallied with determination to win her career debut at Lone Star Park on May 21. Two races earlier on the card, Bud’s Little Edge recorded an equally impressive victory in dispatching of six rivals. Minacious has been listed as the 9-5 favorite on the morning line with Bud’s Little Edge posted as the 5-2 second choice.

"Both Minacious and Bud's Little Edge look good coming into Saturday's race," said Asmussen. "We asked Luis (Quinonez) who he wanted to ride and he chose Minacious."

Incredibly, Asmussen has won the TTA Sales Futurity Stakes (Fillies Division) eight times in the first sixteen runnings, including three straight years from 1999-2001 (Maddie’s Promise, Louetta and Smoke Buster), and four in a row from 2003-2006 (Bluegrass Sara, Berdelia, Covered in Clover, and Miss Mary Pat). He also won with Bridesmaid in 2008.

Perhaps the biggest threat to Asmussen as he tries to secure his ninth victory in the TTA Sales Futurity Stakes (Fillies Division) is the Danny Pish-trained Legendary Day. A bay daughter of Gold Legend, Legendary Day has flashed genuine potential in her first two career starts, both late running second-place finishes.

The field from the rail out, with jockey and morning line odds listed in parenthesis, consists of: Ms Golden West (Cliff Berry, 7-2); She Wants Cash (Cliff Berry, 7-2); Legendary Day (Chris Landeros, 5-1); Favorite Dancer (Eddie Martin Jr., 10-1); Mami Wata (Glen Murphy, 7-2); Siding (Luis Quinonez, 9-5); Tin Top Cat (Ramsey Zimmerman, 15-1); Cadillac Kitty (Bryan McNeil, 20-1); Minacious (Luis Quinonez, 9-5); and Bud’s Little Edge (Eguard Tejera, 5-2). Ms Golden West, She Wants Cash and Mami Wata will run as an entry, and Siding and Minacious are also coupled.

Scheduled as race five on the 11-race program, the TTA Sales Futurity Stakes (Fillies Division) has an approximate post time of 3:23 P.M. CDT.