Mark Casse, Canada’s perennial Sovereign Award winner for Outstanding Trainer, calls ENFORCEABLE a “big colt with a big pedigree” and now the grey son of Tapit – Justwhistledixie by Dixie Union is a Kentucky Derby hopeful.
Casse has never won the Derby but won the Preakness Stakes last year with War of Will (who won the 2019 Lecomte Stakes, the race Enforceable just won this past weekend) and the 2019 Belmont Stakes with Sir Winston.
Enforceable, owned by John Oxley, appears to have all the tools to be a Derby player with his off-the-pace style and his improving form. The colt won the Jan. 18 Lecomte at Fair Grounds with an 89 Beyer Figure for a time of 1:43.60 for 1 1/16 miles. The colt, who has reportedly been a bit difficult to train, was making his 7th career start and has been slowly learning the game. Clearsky Farm bred the colt and Oxley bought him privately after the colt was bought back for $775,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September sale.
Casse won stakes races at three different tracks on Jan. 18. In addition to Enforceable’s Lecomte, the trainer’s team sent out March to the Arch to win the Sunshine Millions Turf at Gulfstream and Two Sixty to win the Gasparilla Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.
KENTUCKY DERBY POINTS as of Jan. 19
Rank Horse – Points – Owner(s) – Trainer – Non-Restricted Stakes Earnings
* Bolded names are Canadian-owned horses
1. Storm the Court – 22
Owners: David A. Bernsen LLC – Exline-Border Racing LLC (Ryan Exline and family & Justin Border), Dan Hudock & Susanna Wilson
Trainer: Peter Eurton
$1,136,351
2. Enforceable – 13
Owner: John C. Oxley
Trainer: Mark Casse
$264,550
3. Anneau d’Or – 12
Owner: Peter Redekop B. C., Ltd.
Trainer: Blaine Wright
$381,000
4. Tiz the Law – 12
Owner: Sackatoga Stable (Jack Knowlton et al)
Trainer: Barclay Tagg
$304,100
5. Shoplifted – 10
Owner: Grandview Equine (Robert Clay), Cheyenne Stables LLC (Everett Dobson) & LNJ Foxwoods (Larry, Nanci & Jaime Roth)
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
$336,000
6. Maxfield – 10
Owner: Godolphin LLC (Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum et al)
Trainer: Brendan Walsh
$300,000
7. Eight Rings – 10
Owner: SF Racing LLC (Gavin Murphy), Starlight Racing (Jack & Laurie Wolf), Madaket Stables LLC (Sol Kumin & Jason Monteleone), Frederick Hertrich III, John D. Fielding and Golconda Stables (Ben Goldberg & Elliot Friman)
Trainer: Bob Baffert
$200,351
8. Silver Prospector – 10
Owner: Ed and Susie Orr
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
$197,351
9. Independence Hall – 10
Owner: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners (Aron Wellman), Twin Creeks Racing Stables LLC (Steve Davison & Randy Gullatt), Kathleen Verratti & Robert N. Verratti
Trainer: Mike Trombetta
$165,000
10. Shotski – 10
Owner: Wachtel Stable (Adam Wachtel), Gary Barber, Pantofel Stable (Len Schleifer) & Mike Karty
Trainer: Jeremiah O’Dwyer
$143,466
11. Dennis’ Moment – 10
Owner: Albaugh Family Stables LLC (Dennis Albaugh & Jason Loustch)
Trainer: Dale Romans
$137,800
12. Thousand Words – 10
Owner: Albaugh Family Stables (LLC Dennis Albaugh & Jason Loustch) & Spendthrift Farm LLC (B. Wayne Hughes)
Trainer: Bob Baffert
$121,000
13. Authentic – 10
Owner: SF Racing LLC (Gavin Murphy), Starlight Racing (Jack & Laurie Wolf), Madaket Stables LLC (Sol Kumin & Jason Monteleone), Frederick Hertrich III, John D. Fielding and Golconda Stables (Ben Goldberg & Elliot Friman)
Trainer: Bob Baffert
$60,000
14. Scabbard – 6
Owner: Joseph W. Sutton
Trainer: Eddie Kenneally
$182,000
15. Wrecking Crew – 5
Owner: Rockingham Ranch (Gary Hartunian) & David A. Bernsen LLC
Trainer: Peter Miller
$293,000
16. Ajaaweed – 5
Owner: Godolphin LLC (Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum et al)
Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin
$75,000
17. Finnick the Fierce – 5
Owner: Arnaldo Monge & Rey Hernandez
Trainer: Rey Hernandez
$66,200
18. Green Light Go – 4
Owner: Stronach Stables (Frank Stronach)
Trainer: Jimmy Jerkens
$210,000
19. Gouverneur Morris – 4
Owner: Team Valor International (Barry Irwin) & WinStar Farm LLC (Kenny Troutt)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
$100,000
20. Answer In – 4
Owner: Robert V. LaPenta & Madaket Stables LLC (Sol Kumin & Jason Monteleone)
Trainer: Brad Cox
$80,000