Closing Act Kicks Off Campaign with Stakes Victory

Douglas Scharbauer’s Grade III-placed homebred Closing Act (4f Munnings x Evening Show, by Master Command) scored her fourth career stakes win to kick off the year in Friday’s Bold Ego Handicap.

The tightly packed field saw Closing Act race just about a length behind the leader early in the 5 ½ furlong dirt race. Coming into the turn a few paths wide, she left that stage of the race in front and kept that advantage throughout.

The stretch was all about growing his margin with Closing Act crossing the line 4 ¾ lengths in front.

Trained by Steve Asmussen, Closing Act has won half of her 10 starts with three other top three finishes for $310,999.

The filly is out of the stakes placed Evening Show, who has produced five winners from six to race. That mare is a half-sister to the stakes winning Impulsive with Grade I winner Mea Domina leading the 26 stakes performers under Closing Act’s first three dams.

Munnings leads all North American and European sires by stakes winners, stakes performers, and winners in 2025 with two stakes winners, four stakes performers, and 17 winners so far this year.