Photo:

Candice Chavez / Eclipse Sportswire

Erik Asmussen, an Eclipse Award finalist for leading apprentice, draws constant motivation from his surname.

His Hall of Fame father Steve holds the distinction of being North America’s all-time leading trainer in wins. His grandfather Keith is a retired jockey. His grandmother Marilyn made history as the first woman to win a major quarter horse race in 1978. He is attempting to follow the lead of his uncle Cash, who won the Eclipse as leading apprentice in 1979.

“I guess you could say it’s in our blood, but it’s the belief I had in myself,” said Asmussen, 22, of his decision to ride. “When you are Steve Asmussen’s son, you want to prove that you can do it.”

Most apprentices begin to ride in their late teens. Asmussen started late because he was unsure whether his body would permit such a career. He said he stands 5 foot 9 or 5 foot 10. He weighed 155 pounds when he set out to reduce four years ago while promising his mother, Julie, that he would not do anything to compromise his health.

His regimen involves eating one meal a day. He allows himself one pound of meat and fruit for dinner – nothing more. He has not enjoyed a meal at a restaurant in eight months. Fast food is unthinkable. Slowly but surely, he dropped 35 pounds as part of an incessant war he must wage against a body that craves more calories.

“It’s hard, yes, but it’s required. It’s part of my job,” Asmussen said. “Anything worth anything in life takes a lot of sacrifice.”

The Asmussens are renowned for their work ethic. After Steve’s height and weight ended his brief career as a jockey, he built a massive training operation that is on its way to putting the North American record for wins out of sight. Keith and Marilyn continue to oversee the El Primero Training Center in Laredo, Texas. Cash enjoyed tremendous success in Europe before he retired from riding in 2001.

Erik has displayed considerable potential since he won his first race at Sam Houston Race Park last January. He captured the riding title last summer at Lone Star Park and was greatly encouraged by his performance at Churchill Downs last fall. He was the leading apprentice there with 12 victories, highlighted by his win aboard Gulfport for his father in the listed $300,000 Bet on Sunshine Stakes on Nov. 2.

According to Equibase, Erik won at a 16 percent clip last year with a record of 793: 127-116-114 and earnings of $5,078,150. Gabriel Maldonado and J.G. Torrealba have solid credentials as the other finalists.

“I know I gave it all I had to try to win it. I worked as hard as I possibly could to try to win it for my family to make them proud,” Asmussen said. “I hope it was good enough.”

He loses his apprentice status on Jan. 21 and he admitted, “There are absolutely challenges in that.”

He is interested in following in his father’s footsteps by becoming a trainer at some point. That may not be any time soon.

“There might be one day when I think eating is more important to me than riding, but right now riding is more important to me than eating,” he said. “I’m going to do this as long as I can.

“I do plan to continue to riding because I have a strong belief in what I can become. Riding at Churchill is so cool. You want to ride against the best because you want to be the best.”

Meanwhile, he eagerly awaits the Eclipse Awards program the night of Jan. 23 at The Breakers Palm Beach, hoping to become the latest Asmussen to make his mark on the game.