Owner Winchell watches Echo Zulu, Epicenter from afar

Ron Winchell is in Dubai for the Dubai World Cup and New Orleans for his champion filly Echo Zulumakes her 3-year-old debut in the Fair Grounds Oaks. Epicenter is the favorite in Louisiana Derby (G2) on Sunday. If Epicentre wins, he will join the millionaires club of Winchel's Thoroughbreds. The richest of them is Gun Runner, who earned $15,988,500 before siring progeny like EchoZulu.

Steve Asmussen has been training horses for Winchell family for 20 years. He has a North American record win total of 9,677. Wincell has trophy case full because of good horses and because he has good trainer. The relationship dates back to when Wincells' father was breaking horses with Keith Asmsussen in Laredo, Texas. Ron took over the training from Keith after Verne died in 2002. Steve Asmisussen is a Hall of Fame trainer and a trainer of horses.

Echo Zulu is the 3-5 morning-line favorite in the Fair Grounds Oaks. She won her debut at Saratoga last summer and two Breeders’ Cup races. Her connections decided not to push her for the Kentucky Derby. Now she is just a victory or a second-place finish away from starting at Churchill Downs. She has nothing to prove. The next step is her comeback race at FairGrounds Oaks on May 6. It's possible she will be the first filly to win the race in 34 years. Without a race to her name in 2022, she's no longer the popular favorite of the public in her division.

Epicenter is 7-5 morning-line favorite for Saturday's Louisiana Derby. He won the Risen Star last month. Bob Baffert transferred four would-be Derby contenders to eligible trainers Thursday. Epicenter was best-priced at 12-1 in the futures market. On Thursday night that number dropped to 8- 1. Winchell is not a fan of betting Derby futures. He has never cashed one. Gun Runner and Tapit were sold at much higher odds. They were 100-1000 or 125-100. His trainer would be interested in buying them.

Midnight Bourbon is in Dubai World Cup. He hasn't won since the 2021 Lecomte. The horse has won 13 of his 15 starts. Midnight Bourbon's losses since LEComme were in Grade 1 races. He is 10-1 to win the race. Life Is Good and Hot Rod Charlie are also in the field. José Ortiz is traveling to get a leg up.

Midnight Bourbon has only two wins in 15 starts and $3,197,970 in earnings. The horse is not running well. Winchell wants to give Midnight Bourbon his day in the sun.

Ron Winchell is watching his horses at Meydan. He is hoping to win the Dubai World Cup. He has been in the game long enough not to get his hopes too high. His horses are Echo Zulu, Midnight Bourbon and Epicenter.