Epicenter

Epicenter is a multiple Graded stakes winning 3-year-old colt sired by Not This Time, He is owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC and trained By Steve Asmussen.

Epicenter made his debut at Churchill Downs on Sept. 18, 2021, where he set the pace and flattened out to finish sixth, beaten by 7 3/4 lengths.  In his next start, Epicenter broke his maiden with a 3 1/2-length win at Churchill on Nov. 13. He was pressed on the pace but withstood all challenges and drew off to victory. 

Epicenter began his road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve with an impressive victory in the Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds on Dec. 26. He rated off the pace and drew away impressively to win by 6 1/2 lengths, earning 10 qualifying points for the Derby in the process. Off the win in the Gun Runner, Epicenter went off as the second choice in the Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds on Jan. 22, 2022. He set the early pace and fended off Pappacap down the stretch but could not withstand the closing rally of longshot Call Me Midnight and got nailed on the wire. Epicenter earned four qualifying points with that performance.

Epicenter bounced back in a big way in the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes Presented by Lamarque Ford on Feb. 19. Once again, he set the early pace but this time he just kept going and crossed the line 2 3/4 lengths in front. He earned 50 Derby qualifying points with that win. 

In his final prep for the Kentucky Derby, Epicenter raced in the Grade 2 Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds on Mar. 26. In a change of tactics from his usual style, he rated off the early lead and made his move on the turn. The strategy worked like a charm, as he took the lead entering the stretch and won by 2 1/2 lengths. That race earned him 100 more Derby qualifying points making him a leading point earner going into the Kentucky Derby.

Epicenter went off as the favorite in the Kentucky Derby on May 7. He rated off a fast pace and struck the front at the top of the stretch. He looked primed to give his trainer Steve Asmussen his first-ever Kentucky Derby win, but longshot Rich Strike came up the inside and pulled off a shocking upset. Epicenter finished second. 

Two weeks later with Derby winner Rich Strike sitting out the Preakness Stakes, Epicenter was sent off as the heavy favorite in the middle jewel of the Triple Crown. Bottled up nearing the top of the stretch, Epicenter made a late rally but again had to settle for second, this time beaten by Early Voting.

After a short freshening following the Triple Crown trail, Epicenter returned in the $558,000 Jim Dandy Stakes July 30 at Saratoga Race Course, where he engaged in a rematch with Preakness winner Early Voting and Kentucky Derby third-place finisher Zandon. Epicenter got his revenge with a last-to-first rally for a 1 ½-lengths victory, completing the 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.99 for his third graded stakes win of the year.

Next stop for Epicenter was the $1.25 million Grade 1 Runhappy Travers Stakes back at Saratoga Race Course on August 27. The "Mid-Summer Derby" had been the goal for Epicenter since his defeat in the Belmont Stakes, and this time Epicenter came through to earn the first Grade 1 win of his career over a field that included both Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike, who finished fourth, and Preakness winner Early Voting, who was pulled up and finished last.  Ridden to perfection by regular jockey Joel Rosario, Epicenter stalked the pace set by Cyberknife and Ain't Life Grand and was never more than three lengths off the pace before making his move on the turn and overtaking Cyberknife at the top of the stretch. Epicenter extended his lead through the lane and won under wraps at the finish by a comfortable 5 1/4-length margin in a final time of 2:00.72 for the 1 1/4 miles. Epicenter was sent off as the betting favorite at even-money and returned $4.00 to win.

Epicenter sold for $260,000 at the Keeneland September yearling sale in 2020.