Grade 1-winning juvenile CUVEE (Carson City) was represented by his initial
winner at stud when Border Cuvee captured the 5TH race at Lone Star Park on
Thursday evening. Bred and owned by Keith Asmussen, and trained by his son Steve
Asmussen, the dark bay juvenile moved to the front out of the gate and led all
the way to the wire, posting a three-length victory under jockey Luis Quinonez.
Border Cuvee earned his first win in his first try when running 4 1/2 furlongs
in :52 3/5 on the fast track.
Cuvee was among the top juveniles in 2003 off the strength of his four wins
from six starts, which merited him favorite honors in that year’s Breeders’ Cup
Juvenile (G1). The brilliant juvenile dominated in his first two outings,
including an 8 1/4-length romp in the Kentucky Breeders’ Cup S. (G3). Following
a setback in the Bashford Manor S. (G3), the chestnut cruised home by 7 1/2 lengths
in the Saratoga Special S. (G2) and a widening 8 1/4 lengths in the Futurity S.
(G1). The colt never offered a run in the Breeders’ Cup, and his best finish in
three subsequent efforts was a runner-up showing in the Kentucky Cup Sprint
(G3).
Trained by Steve Asmussen throughout his career, the Kentucky-bred concluded
his career with a 9-4-2-1 mark, banking $402,043 along the way. He was
campaigned by Winchell Thoroughbreds and was followed in graded glory by his
half-brother Will He
Shine (Silver Deputy), who annexed the 2007 True North H. (G2). The siblings are
out of Christmas Star
(Star de Naskra), who is also responsible for an unnamed yearling filly by Awesome Again.
Cuvee hails
from the same female line as Grade 2 hero and current sire Wild
Wonder (Wild Again), 1991 Hollywood Derby (G1) star Olympio (Naskra), and Grade 2
winners Pyro (Pulpit), Fun House (Prized), Bien Nicole (Bien Bien), Call Now (Wild Again) and Early Flyer (Gilded Time).
Cuvee stands at Gainesway near Lexington, Kentucky, for a fee of $10,000 live
foal. He is booked full for 2008.