Mark Casse, Woodbine’s leading trainer for more than a decade, has put together another chart-topping campaign at the 2017 Thoroughbred meet and has just over one week left to seal the deal.
Casse heads into this weekend’s stakes action atop the trainer standings in all categories at Woodbine, leading for stakes (17), overall wins (92), and earnings ($6.59 million). The veteran trainer will be looking to wrap up his 11th straight training title at the Toronto track (12th overall), but it’s not a done deal yet as that race will go right down to the wire (December 10) with Norm McKnight just three wins away.
“We’ve been so fortunate in Canada and, without a doubt, number one is David Adams, who has been my longtime assistant and who oversees the day to day. I can’t say enough great things about David Adams. And I’m proud of our team,” said Casse, noting that most of his staff, including assistants Kathryn Sullivan, Paul Lehman, grooms, and exercises riders, have been with his stable for 15 to 20 years. “It’s a team effort. They’ve done another wonderful job this year. I’m just kind of like the head coach. I give them direction, but it’s up to them to get it done and again they’ve done great. I’m very proud of the year we’ve had and hopefully it continues.”