You couldn't have witnessed a prouder moment than that of Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen and his wife, Julie, watching their first born son, Keith James Asmussen, ride his first winner in the nightcap on the July 26 card at Lone Star Park.
The "Stars of Texas Day" program featured two $75,000 stakes races celebrating Texas-bred horses, but the most exciting race of the day was when Keith won by just a head at the wire aboard Phoenix Thoroughbred's Inis Gluaire. The entire place erupted in screams and cheers, more than witnessed here in recent memory, according to the track's publicity department.
Keith rode his first race at Lone Star June 15 and had ridden a total of 16 races, finishing second four times and third twice. It wasn't until race number 17 when he finally caught that elusive victory.
When asked how he felt, a beaming Keith was almost speechless, but managed to get out an excited, "It's a dream come true. You know Lone Star has been open for 24 years and I'm 22. My earliest memories are of coming here, so to get a win here is just surreal."
Inis Gluaire is a 3-year-old son of Bernardini trained by Steve Asmussen, who said, "You know the amazing horses we've had and how blessed we've been, this is the greatest win we've ever had."
After the celebration finally wrapped up in the winner's circle, fellow jockeys scooped Keith up in their arms and marched him right to the paddock for a dip in the fountain, a Lone Star tradition for a rider's first win.
