Casse leans toward training Sir Winston up to Dubai World Cup

Tracy Farmer's Sir Winston won his first start Friday since capturing last year's Belmont Stakes, rallying from last-of-seven to capture his 4-year-old debut in a one-mile allowance race.

The "Test of the Champion" victor made his first start in more than six months when he finished last-of-12 at one mile over yielding Fair Grounds turf Dec. 28. In his first main-track appearance since the Belmont, Sir Winston impressed trainer Mark Casse when earning a 94 Beyer Speed Figure for his 2 ¼-length win over Musical America.

"He came out of it good,” Casse said. “I was extremely pleased with his effort because I thought it maybe might have been a little short.

“He didn't get much out of his first race back off the long layoff, so I was a little concerned. He ran beyond my expectations. I know it was an allowance race, but he beat a lot of nice horses and did it convincingly. So, if he's healthy, I think he'll have a great 2020."

The start to the campaign could facilitate a quick return to top-level competition, with the Group 1, $12 million Dubai World Cup on March 28 at Meydan remaining the target, Casse said. Sir Winston could make another start at Aqueduct before targeting the world's second-richest horse race, with the $100,000 Bernardini at 1 5/16 miles Feb. 29 remaining a possibility as a prep.

Casse said he remains more inclined to use his win as a springboard to the 1 1/4-mile Dubai World Cup.

"We're looking at the Bernardini and we're definitely looking at the Dubai World Cup, so we'll look at either going straight to Dubai,” Casse said. “My thought was that the Bernardini could set him up well.

“But now, I'm not saying the Bernardini is completely out, but I'm leaning more towards just going straight to Dubai since he gave us such a big effort. That's something Mr. Farmer and I will talk about, and we'll see how it plays out."