MARK CASSE STABLE WINS ALL 3 STAKES AT WOODBINE
MARK CASSE holds the WOODLAWN VASE, one of the most expensive trophies in sport, as wife Tina looks on following War of Will’s Preakness victory – VANESSA NG PHOTO – HORSE-RACES.NET
Total of 5 stakes won since Friday, 10 wins
The second jewel of the American Triple crown, while not quite as controversial as the Kentucky Derby two weeks earlier, still had its share of drama. With BODEXPRESS running close to the field sans jockey John Velazquez and then turning around and running around again, the Preakness got a little extra attention from media.
WAR OF WILL meanwhile, hugged the rail and this time stayed on that path and darted clear to win the 1 3/16 mile classic, the first Triple Crown race win for trainer MARK CASSE and owner Gary Barber.
Bought by Casse’s brother Justin at a French 2yo in training sale and prepared at Woodbine by David Holmes and his team, WAR OF WILL put it all together with his cleaner trip in the Preakness after his messy Derby outing.
The son of War Front – Vision of Clarity by Sadler’s Wells will now head to the Belmont in less than 3 weeks.
Selene Stakes – Woodbine Oaks candidates 2nd and 3rd
Just before WAR OF WILL paraded to the post for the Preakness, POWER GAL (Jpn) won the Grade 3 Selene Stakes for Barber and Casse with Emma-Jayne Wilson riding.
Casse had three of the five starters in the 1 1/16 mile Selene and it was the Japanese-bred daughter of Empire Maker who had a good trip behind a pace duel that included early Woodbine Oaks favourite Bold Script, the champion 2-year-old filly in Canada in 2018. PREFERRED GUEST (Society’s Chairman) closed well to be 2nd while Bold Script faded to third.
The time of 1:44 translated to a 73 Beyer Figure for the winner over a Woodbine Tapeta surface that was blazing fast on the weekend and through Monday.
The WOODBINE OAKS, which is coming up June 8, looks a bit like this on the Thoroughblog Top 10 list:
- HASTALAVISTABABY – 2nd Fury Stakes – Mark Casse for team Valor, Gary Barber, Joey Gee
- DESERT RIDE – winner – Sam-Son Farms
- PREFERRED GUEST – 2nd Selene – Nancy Guest, tr- Mark Casse
- BOLD SCRIPT – 3rd Selene – Stuart Simon for Chiefswood
- TIZ BREATHTAKING – stakes winner – Windhaven, tr- Mike Doyle
- SPEEDY SOUL – Fury Stakes – Mark Casse, Joey Gee
- WESTERN CURL – 3rd Fury Mark Casse for Chiefswood
- LADY AZALEA – 3rd allowance race Tr- Roger Attfield
- NOTICE ME- winner this season Tr- Catherine Day Phillips
- CIURI – sprint winner Tr Robert Tiller
Queenston Stakes
FEDERAL LAW, by Scat Daddy, with Wayne Grant before the Queenston Stakes. PHOTO COURTESY OF MR WILL WONG
Sunday’s 7 furlong Queenston Stakes is often the first stepping stone for Queen’s Plate eligible to get rolling for the June 29 race.
Another small field of 4 and Mark Casse had 2 entrants and won it with Qatar Racing’s FEDERAL LAW, bred by Jim Dandy Stable (founded by the late Mel Lawson and the name now owned by Jim Lawson). A son of Scat Daddy from the late Gravelly Bay by Strong Hope, Federal Law was turning back in distance from the Wando Stakes in which he faded to be third behind Skywire.
The gelding was full of run for most of the Queenston, however, and won in 1:23.05 over My Silencer (also trained by Casse).
The Beyer Figure was 73. My Silencer was caught late and might be better in sprints while DUN DRUM, the Kingarvie winner from last season making his 2019 debut, took a while to get going but did finish well under a hard ride. He should be sharper next time out.
In other QUEEN’S PLATE news, two American-based Plate contenders posted good Beyer Figures in 2nd place finishes over the weekend.
TONE BROKE (Broken Vow – Mendocino Beano) is back from a disastrous trip to Dubai and he finished second in the Sir Barton Stakes at Pimlico with an 81 Beyer Figure. The long striding colt, trained by Steve Asmussen, was second to front running King for a Day in 1:41 2/5.
VISITANT rallied past Queen’s Plate eligible ONE BAD BOY in the Alcatraz Stakes at Golden Gate
Out at Golden Gate, ONE BAD BOY set the pace in the Alcatraz Stakes which came off the grass and was run on synthetic, and finished second at 4 to 5. The son of Twirling Candy is trained by Richard Baltas and he was supplemented to the Plate at the last payment deadline. He earned a lofty 89 Beyer Figure for his runner-up placing.
HE’S A MACHO MAN won his local return on Monday in a 1 1/16 mile allowance race for trainer Josie Carroll. The son of Mucho Macho Man rallied wide in the small field and won in 1:44 2/5 over a very troubled Jammin Still. He’s a macho Man was bred by Paul Buttigieg and was a CTHS Ontario yearling purchase for $40,000 by Di Scola Boys.
JAMMIN STILL might have won that race had he got clear a bit sooner. Derek Chin’s Take Charge Indy – Cat’s Garden sophomore closed fast and could be improving. He was bred by Bill Graham and is trained by Kevin Attard.
1. Avie’s Flatter
2. Skywire
3. One Bad Boy
4. Federal Law
5. He’s a Macho Man
6. Jammin Still
7. Tone Broke
8. Dun Drum
9. Hastalavistababy
10. Desert Ride
FRIDAY – SUNDAY TOP BEYER FIGURES – Woodbine
92 SPECIAL FORCES
82 RECONFIGURE
77 SPANISH EXPRESS
77 SIR SAHIB
77 GUITAR GEORGE
77 WINGS OF DAWN
The purse money is being spread around quite nicely at Woodbine as 65 different trainers have won at least one race after 15 racing days and 136 races.
Eclipse Stakes (g3)
On Victoria Day Monday, the Grade 3 Eclipse was one of the most exciting races of the year as favoured SOUPER TAPIT from the Live Oak Plantation stable and trainer Mark Casse, dueled MR. RITZ owned by Earle Mack and trained by Josie Carroll, to the wire. The photo below shows Souper Tapit winning by a few inches. The time was 1:42 1/5 on the fast Woodbine surface.
Champion Are You Kidding Me finished third.
TROOPER JOHN WINS JOURNAL ON SIZZLING FAST CENTURY MILE SURFACE
TROOPER JOHN holds off Born in a Breeze to win the $50,000 Journal Handicap at Century Mile on Victoria Day. Century Mile photo
Riversedge Racing Stables Ltd. TROOPER JOHN, at 4 to 5, won the Journal Handicap for the second year in succession on Monday at Century Mile. This was the first edition of the race and first stakes race at the new track and the horses run fast at the Alberta oval. Trooper John rallied from behind a wild pace battle of 21.33 and 43.29, grabbed the lead and held off a charging Born in a Breeze. The final time was a stellar 1:08.31 but on the very fast surface it was awarded a 79 Beyer Speed Figure by Daily Racing Form.
Tim Rycroft trains Trooper John, a son of Colonel John – Shouldn’t We All by Woodman and Wilmer Galviz was the winning rider.
The co-featured Jetset Handicap for fillies and mare sat 6 furlongs went to RUFFENUFF owned by Curtis Landry. Trainer Greg Tracey saddled the first three finishers. Ruffenuff is by Dialed In. She raced her distance in 1:08.49.
A $17,500 maiden claiming race at 6 1/2 furlongs on Monday was won in 1:14.97.
FASIG TIPTON MARYLAND 2-YEAR-OLD SALE CONTINUES TODAY
READE BAKER with the $300,000 Into Mischief colt he purchased for Paul Braverman and partners.
Canadian Hall of Famer READE BAKER signed the ticket for an Into Mischief colt on Monday at the Fasig Tipton 2yo sale in Maryland for US owner Paul Braverman and partners. The colt is from the mare Game Show and was a $300,000 purchase.
Baker, who has set up shop as a bloodstock agent and racing manager has been attending all of the 2yo sales and has been buying horses for clients.
TRACY FARMER, who races some horses at Woodbine with trainer Mark Casse, bought an Ontario bred filly by Sky Mesa from Casey’s Dreamin for $70,000.
