Out on his own, Casse back in the winner's circle at Churchill Downs

Trainer Norm Casse, longtime assistant to his father Mark, won his first-career race Thursday evening at Churchill Downs when $25,000 claimer Tiznoble romped by 7 ¼ lengths under jockey Julien Leparoux. 

“It was an absolute honor to win for the first time at Churchill Downs,” Casse said. “It was even more special to team up with Julien for the win. We’ve been friends for a longtime and won a lot of races when I was the assistant to Dad.”

Casse, a third-generation trainer, was 0-for-8 prior to Thursday’s victory. The 34-year-old conditioner is currently based at Keeneland but hopes to move his string to Churchill Downs later this spring. 

Tiznoble rewarded his backers with $2 mutuel payoffs of $6, $3.20 and $2.60. The 5-year-old horse was claimed in a two-way shake by owner James Rogers for trainer Chris Hartman.