Three-time Sovereign Award-winning conditioner Mark Casse will look to break the mark of 89 wins by a trainer in a single Woodbine meet, a record he currently shares with the late Frank Passero, Wednesday evening at the Toronto oval.
Set to become the Toronto oval’s top trainer for the fifth consecutive campaign, Casse will saddle Paso Doble in the Overskate Stakes in an attempt to set the record, which was established by Passero in 1995.
“This year’s been a blur,” said the lifetime winner of 1,336 races, who is ranked fifth overall in North America in purse earnings, with over $5.9 million. “It’s been a remarkable year. This (record) wasn’t necessarily my goal, but everything has fallen into place.
I’ve had so many wonderful owners to work with and everyone is working hard. I’m quite proud of it.”
Casse, who has enjoyed graded stakes victories this season with Pool Play in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs and with Northern Passion in the Grade 2 Natalma at Woodbine, is 49 victories ahead of his nearest competitor in 2011.
He has also posted 10 consecutive top-five finishes in the standings.
“To have your name associated with some of the biggest names in this sport, I feel very fortunate,” said Casse, who was the meet leader in two-year-old triumphs (23 wins from 163 starts) for the 13th year in a row in 2010. “And to have my wife and my children be able to share this, it makes it even more meaningful.”
First race post time on Wednesday night is 6:45 p.m. The Overskate Stakes, carded as race 7, will go to post at 9:43 p.m.
Paso Doble is listed as the morning line 9-5 favourite. He’ll be ridden by Patrick Husbands.
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Most wins by a trainer in one Woodbine meet
Frank Passero 89 1995
Mark Casse 89 2011 (through September 25)
Mark Casse 87 2010
Mark Casse 85 2007
Frank Passero 84 1992
Sid Attard 78 2006
Reade Baker 76 2006 (finished second)
Mark Casse 75 2008
Sid Attard 73 2004
Michael Wright Jr. 74 1998
Sid Attard 72 1996
Robert Tiller 71 2003
Mark Casse 71 2009
Other Notes…
-The Woodbine season became one continuous meet in 1985.
-In his record-breaking year of 1995, Frank Passero won three races on the final date of meet, December 6, to get to 89.
-The final date of the 2011 meet is December 4.
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