Casse Team Hopes Mo Diddley Runs Big in Bashford Manor
Gary Barber and Cheyenne Stables LLC’s Mo Diddley could add his name to the early 2-year-old Kentucky Derby watch list when he goes to post in Friday’s $100,000 Bashford Manor Presented by GE Appliances (GIII).
In his career debut, Mo Diddley rushed past rivals from off the pace after he missed the break and battled with Make Noise in the final eighth of a mile for a narrow victory.
“That was a really solid win,” assistant trainer Norm Casse said. “He was training well prior to the race but he overcame a lot after missing the break.”
“Anytime you have a talented 2-year-old you catch yourself dreaming about the Derby,” Casse said. “We realize how tough it is to get there and you just have to let the horse take you there race by race.”
The Bashford Manor is one of three stakes races on tap for Friday night’s Spring Meet ender, a prime-time program billed as “Downs After Dark Presented by Stella Artois and Finlandia Vodka.” The $100,000 Debutante Presented by Finlandia Vodka (Listed) for 2-year-old fillies at six furlongs and the $65,000-added Kelly’s Landing Overnight Stakes for 3-year-olds and up at seven furlongs round out the stakes action for the closing night program of the 38-day Spring Meet.
Work Tab – Several horses put in their final preparations for the Spring Meet’s final week of racing at Churchill Downs, including a :35.80 three-furlong move by The Player for trainer William “Buff” Bradley. The Player is expected to headline the $65,000-added Kelly’s Landing Overnight Stakes. … The Truth Or Else, most recently a third-place finisher in the $100,000 Aristides Stakes (GIII), breezed a half-mile in :49.20 for trainer Kenny McPeek. … Impressive 2-year-old debut winner Patrona Margarita, who is expected to start in the $100,000 Debutante Presented by Finlanda Vodka, breezed an easy half-mile in :51 for trainer Bret Calhoun. … Peter Pan (GIII) third-place finisher Impressive Edge had a five-furlong move in 1:01.60 for trainer Dale Romans. … The complete Churchill Downs work tab is available here.
Down the Stretch – There is a growing $119,457 jackpot carryover for the 20-cent minimum Single-6 Jackpot on Races 6-11 Saturday, which is scheduled to commence at 3:15 p.m. (all times Eastern) … Sunday’s card will feature the return of Family Adventure Day Presented by Kroger. The day of racing is complimented by plenty of family activities in the Plaza area including pony rides, inflatables, a petting zoo, stick horse races on the turf course, face painting and more. … The podcast of “Inside Churchill Downs” featuring interviews with trainer Dale Romans and clocker John Nichols is available at www.espnlouisville.com. The show, hosted by Churchill Downs’ Communications Department: John Asher, Darren Rogers and Kevin Kerstein, will be on a week’s hiatus but is scheduled to return Saturday, July 8. … The “Who’s the Champ? Handicapping Contest” returns Sunday. Interested participants can enter for $35 ($30 for TSC Elite members) for a chance to win the $1,000 cash voucher first prize by placing mythical $2 win and place bets on Races 3-8. Second place receives a $500 voucher and third place is worth a $200 voucher. Registration takes place between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on the Clubhouse second floor at the top of the Gate 17 escalators.