Barn Tour: Casse on 8 juvenile winners, other top runners

Mark Casse has had eight juvenile starters this year, and all eight of them are winners – six on debut and the others in their second start.

“I'm proud,” Casse told Horse Racing Nation Thursday. “All eight of those were broken at our training center and got ready in Ocala. So it's working. It's doing well. … People don't realize, but we're always one of the top 2-year-old trainers in North America. But winning first out is not something that I strive to do. It's just these horses have been, most of them have won fairly impressively, and they're just pretty good horses."

Casse spoke with HRN for the latest in our Barn Tour series. You can see what’s next for the 2-year-olds below, but first he provided updates on his other top talent.

Golden Glider. The colt by Ghostzapper finished eighth in the Belmont Stakes after a runner-up effort in the Peter Pan (G3). “He had a good trip” in the Belmont, Casse said. “He just wasn't good enough on that day. Really don't have anything planned. May try to give him a shot on the turf, haven't really decided.” Six of Golden Glider’s seven starts have been on dirt, with his first race a win on Woodbine’s synthetic surface.

Pappacap. The Gun Runner colt finished second to Jack Christopher in the Woody Stephens (G1) and Pat Day Mile (G2) in his last two starts. Where is he going next? “Anywhere they're running that Jack Christopher's not. I see where Jack Christopher's going to the Haskell (G1) possibly, so we're not going to the Haskell. I'm probably going to look at the Allen Jerkens (G1) or something like that at Saratoga.”

Summertime Magic. The 3-year-old daughter of Carpe Diem, unraced as a 2-year-old, is 2-for-2 this year, with both starts at Woodbine. “She's out for a while. She had just a slight injury after her last race. So she's going to get 90 days off and then we'll go from there. … She's been impressive. I think she has a big future. We're just going to take our time and give her every opportunity.”

Beautiful Empire. The 3-year-old Classic Empire filly won her last two starts, both at Woodbine. “I'm thinking maybe the Alywow on the grass (at Woodbine). There's limited races when you're on the Tapeta. She definitely loves the Tapeta, but I'd love to try her on the grass again. I think I tried her once on it. She's a lot better horse now than she was before.”

God of Love. The 3-year-old son of Cupid won last year’s Grey Stakes (G3) at Woodbine and finished sixth in the Sam F. Davis (G3) in his only start this year, “He's still training toward a summer start.”

Coinage. The 3-year-old Tapit colt finished eighth last out in the American Turf on the Kentucky Derby undercard. Casse is pointing him toward the Manila Stakes at Belmont on July 4. About his last race, he said, “He was kicking in the gate. I don't know if it was the big crowd. But he was very fired up and he was kicking and he got left. And he's a horse that needs to be up on the lead, so that was over once he got himself left.”

Make Mischief. The 4-year-old son of Into Mischief is 2-for-3 this year, scoring last out in the Critical Eye at Belmont. Casse hasn’t nailed down plans for him. “I was having that discussion this morning with (owner) Gary Barber. Possibly we may go to Gulfstream and run in the Princess Rooney. That's still up in the air.”

Souper Sensational. The 4-year-old Curlin filly came off a seven-month layoff to finish second in the Royal North (G2). “There's a five and a half on the turf at Saratoga the first week or so. That or she's going to run in the Hendrie (G3) at Woodbine. But our long-term plans and hopes are to run her in the Ballerina (G1) in August and Saratoga.”

Our Secret Agent. The 5-year-old daughter of Secret Circle won the Whimsical (G3) in May in her second start after a five-month break. “The Hendrie is where we're aiming her for.”

Hendy Woods. The 5-year-old daughter of Uncle Mo is looking for her first win of the year. “There's a stake at Ellis Park on the turf, first part of Ellis Park. I don't know the name of it, but that's where she's going to run.”

2-year-olds

Battle Strike. The Connect colt was a 6 1/4-length winner in his debut at Woodbine, “He's going to stay and run in the Victoria Stakes at Woodbine. I thought he was very impressive in his debut.”

Cahira’s Blessing. The Maclean’s Music filly won in her second start and will stay at Woodbine for the My Dear Stakes.

Wonder Wheel. A daughter of Into Mischief and a winner on debut, her next start will be in the Debutante at Churchill. “I'm really excited about her. I think she's a really nice horse. Reminds me a lot of Make Mischief.”

Ninetyfour Expos. The son of Outwork won his second time out. “I think he's going to stay and run in the Victoria Stakes at Woodbine.”

Me and My Shadow. A daughter of Violence, she won her debut by four lengths. Next for her is the Schuylerville (G3) at Saratoga.

Adora. She’s another Into Mischief filly, and she won her first start by 4 3/4 lengths. She also is pointed to the Schuylerville.

Stayhonor Goodside. A 5 1/2-length winner on debut, Casse expects the son of Honor Code to start next in the Bashford Manor at Churchill Downs.

Boppy O. is a son of Bolt d’Oro and a first-time winner. The plan is for him to run in the Sanford (G3) at Saratoga.