HOT SPRINGS (AR) – Saturday’s $500,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3) at Oaklawn turned into a family affair as Steve Asmussen trainee Booth, ridden by youngest son Erik Asmussen, withstood pressure throughout the six-furlong race and had enough left at the end of hold off stablemate Ryvit, ridden by Keith Asmussen, to give the Hall of Fame trainer his fourth consecutive win in the marquee sprint race of the Oaklawn season.

Both Booth and Ryvit are owned by L. William and Corinne Heiligbrodt – Booth in partnership with Jackpot Farm and Whispering Oaks Farm – giving the ownership group its third consecutive Count Fleet win after back to back wins in 2023 and 2024 by Skelly.

Pressured throughout by California invader Anarchist, Erik Amussen kept the speedy Booth just in front through fraction of :21.87 for the opening quarter mile and a blistering :44.66 for the opening half mile. Booth began to take control in midstretch and was able to hold off a late surge by Ryvit to post a ¾-length victory while stopping the clock in 1:09.82.

The 2-5 favorite in the seven-horse field, Booth returned $2.80, $2.20 and $2.10. Anarchist held of for third with Happy American, Tejano Twist, Devil’s Tower and Payne completing the order of finish.