Casse working on next race spots for Shamrock Rose, Wonder Gadot

After winning the $125,000 Martha Washington Stakes Feb. 2 with Power Gal, Florida-based trainer Mark Casse said he would be sending more of his better horses to Oaklawn.

That’s played out in recent days, with 2018 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint champion Shamrock Rose, 2018 Queen’s Plate winner Wonder Gadot, stakes-winning Souper Tapit and lightly raced Olympic Runner recently joining the trainer’s local division.

Casse said Thursday afternoon that Shamrock Rose will be pointed for the $350,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) for older fillies and mares March 16. The Azeri is the final major local prep for the $700,000 Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) April 14.

Casse said plans are pending for Wonder Gadot, a finalist for a Sovereign Award as Canada’s champion 3-year-old filly of 2018 after beating males in the first two legs of the Canadian Triple Crown. Wonder Gadot worked for the first time at Oaklawn Wednesday, covering 5 furlongs in 1:01.20.

“Maybe the Azeri, unless something were to come up for her prior to that, maybe like an allowance race or something,” Casse said. “She may show up in an allowance race. She’s not quite ready to run, so I haven’t given a specific race. Both of those fillies are coming out there in hopes of maybe running in the Apple Blossom.”

Power Gal is pointing for the $200,000 Honeybee Stakes (G3) for 3-year-old fillies March 9. The Honeybee is the final major local prep for the $500,000 Fantasy Stakes (G3) April 12. Casse said Saratoga maiden special weights graduate and Feb. 10 Fair Grounds allowance winner Chocolate Kisses could also be a Honeybee candidate.

Souper Tapit, who won the $200,000 Sunshine Millions Classic Stakes Jan. 19 at Gulfstream Park, is entered in Monday’s $500,000 Razorback Handicap (G3) for older horses. Olympic Runner, a front-running 5 ¾-length off-the-turf maiden winner in his second career start Jan. 26 at Gulfstream Park, is scheduled to make his stakes debut in Monday’s $500,000 Southwest (G3) for 3-year-olds.

Gary Barber owns Power Gal, Olympic Runner and promising Kentucky Derby prospects in the Casse-trained War of Will and Our Braintrust.

“We’re just trying to keep them separated,” Casse said of sending Olympic Runner to the Southwest. “We’re not absolutely convinced that this horse is the top dirt horse. He still has to prove it to us. We just thought it was a good place for his next step. His speed will definitely help us at Oaklawn.”

Casse won the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) in 2017 with champion Classic Empire.