Casse stays classy after Wonder Gadot's Kentucky Oaks defeat
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"Some days we win them. Some days we lose them.”
I credit Mark Casse for seeking perspective after a tough 2018 Kentucky Oaks stretch run that kept him and his talented filly, Wonder Gadot, from winning Friday at Churchill Downs.
"Of course, I want to win," he added, "but I’m proud we ran well."
So, even if this half-length defeat goes down as one of the toughest runner-up finishes of Casse's career, it won't stop him from pursuing better outcomes down the road. This race could serve as a springboard to bigger things for the 3-year-old filly.
"Well, you know me," Casse said. "I've never shied away, and I think ultimately, it makes them better horses."
As evidence of that, look no further than the 2017 Kentucky Oaks and the horse that finished second, Daddy's Lil Darling. She wasn't good enough to catch Abel Tasman in the stretch at Churchill Downs, but the daughter of Scat Daddy broke through in Grade 1 company last December at Santa Anita Park.
So as Casse alluded to, there's still more to come for this talented filly and more opportunities to repair the heartache that occurred Friday under the Twin Spires.
Keeping stride with his positive response to the race, Casse agreed with stewards' call not to reverse the order of finish with winner Monomoy Girl. Jockey John Velazquez lodged a rider's objection, arguing that Wonder Gadot's progress stalled when Monomoy Girl bore out in deep stretch.
"I think the decision was fair," Casse said. "...I think we were right in claiming foul because there was contact three times. The third one caused us to jump."
Staying professional, he added, "I understand the ruling."
So, this single race showed us a lot about Wonder Gadot, a horse that raced much better than what her chances may have looked like as she loaded into the starting gate with odds of 16-1. The two-horse battle that was assumed would be between the top choices, Monomoy Girl and Midnight Bisou. Yet, Wonder Gadot was the valiant competitor that challenged Monomoy Girl in the stretch and gave her all she could handle.
"I'm very proud of her", Casse said. "She's a tough filly. The filly won is a super filly as well."
For Monomoy Girl, it's on to the Grade 1 Acorn on the Belmont Stakes undercard. Could we see a rematch?
Casse and his team will be moving onward and upward.
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