Daily Racing Form National Digital Edition
Casses tests Derby trail theory
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Mark Casse has a theory he firmly believes in when it comes to horses on the Kentucky Derby trail.
“I’ve always said it doesn’t matter what you do in December, January and February, it’s what you do now that matters most,” said Casse, who is hoping his Mississippi will be the “now” horse when he makes his stakes debut later this week in the $1 million Florida Derby.
Mississippi, who has won once in just four starts, earned a chance to compete in the Grade 1 Florida Derby after completing a series of sharp works with a 49.45 half-mile at Palm Meadows on Sunday.
“His work was really good yesterday,” Casse said on Monday. “I know it’s a tall task, but we believe the rewards are great and far outweigh the risks of running on Saturday.”
Although he’s finished second in entry-level allowance races in both local starts, Mississippi turned in big efforts on each occasion and was defeated by a couple of noteworthy rivals: Louisiana Derby winner Noble Indy on Jan. 11 and fellow Florida Derby candidate Storm Runner less than four weeks later.
“Obviously it didn’t hurt my feelings when [Noble Indy] won the Louisiana Derby,” Casse said. “And I thought I maybe ran him back a little too quickly in his next start. He was a little dull and didn’t train with the same energy right after that race, so I passed on sending him to the Rebel, as originally planned. And I’m glad I did, because he’s training like a different horse now.”
Regular rider Julien Leparoux will be aboard again in the Florida Derby.
A field of nine seems likely when entries are drawn for the 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby on Wednesday. Along with Mississippi, the lineup is expected to include Audible (John Velazquez to ride); Promises Fulfilled (Robby Albarado); Catholic Boy (Irad Ortiz Jr.); Strike Power (Luis Saez); Storm Runner (Tyler Gaffalione); Tip Sheet (Edgard Zayas); Millionaire Runner (Jose Batista); and Speed Franco (no rider).
Always Dreaming returns
Saturday’s Florida Derby card is expected to feature the return of last year’s winner, Always Dreaming, in the $300,000 Gulfstream Park Mile. Trainer Todd Pletcher said he still had to discuss the options with his owners, but felt the Gulfstream Mile was the ideal place to launch the reigning Kentucky Derby champion’s 4-year-old campaign.
“I was satisfied with his breeze on Saturday,” Pletcher said. “There are a lot of reasons why this race makes sense, including his success at Gulfstream and the fact a mile is kind of an ideal distance to start him back. I really like the scenario, and feel great about the way he has filled out and matured from 3 to 4.”
Always Dreaming will likely be facing a very familiar face in the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Mile: Irish War Cry, who is also expected for the race. Irish War Cry, second behind Economic Model in the Grade 3 Hal’s Hope here last month, finished 10th, beaten 16 lengths by Always Dreaming, in the 2017 Kentucky Derby.
Smile Sprint loses status
The tradition-rich Grade 3 Smile Sprint has lost its Win and You’re In status for the 2018 Breeders’ Cup Sprint, Breeders’ Cup senior vice president of racing and nominations Dora Delgado confirmed Monday.
This comes despite 2017 winner Imperial Hint finished second in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint.
Delgado explained that no Grade 3 races except those for 2-year-olds will be considered for Win and You’re In status beginning this year. The sixfurlong Smile was downgraded from a Grade 2 to a Grade 3 in 2017.
The Smile, named after the 1986 Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner, originated at Calder Race Course as part of the Summit of Speed program in 1999 before moving locally in 2015. Its roster of winners includes 2003 and 2010 Breeders’ Cup Sprint winners Orientate and Big Drama, along with 2008 sprint champion Benny the Bull.
The Smile will be decided June 29 along with the Grade 2 Princess Rooney, which remains part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series for the Filly and Mare Sprint.
Blonde Bomber must show stuff
Trainer Stanley Gold is the first to admit Blonde Bomber has been a disappointment in her first two starts of the year.
Blonde Bomber, who ran a respectable third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies last November, finished fourth in the Silverbulletday Stakes at Fair Grounds and fifth in the Suncoast Stakes at Tampa to begin her 3-year-old campaign.
Gold will give Blonde Bomber one more chance to show she belongs in a race like the Kentucky Oaks this spring when she runs in Saturday’s Grade 2, $300,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks at Gulfstream Park.
“I can’t make excuses for her,” Gold said Monday at his Gulfstream Park barn. “Maybe she’s not what she was or what I’m hoping she is – maybe she is – that’s what we’ll find out. She trained good, went in [59.78 seconds]. Everything’s been good since she came back, so we’ll take another shot.”
In the Gulfstream Oaks, Blonde Bomber will be returning to the track over which she won a maiden race and the Our Dear Peggy Stakes here last September.
“She’s coming back good for this race,” Gold said. “We’ll see. She’s back home.”
Edgard Zayas will ride Blonde Bomber in the Gulfstream Oaks.
Entries for the Gulfstream Oaks will be taken on Wednesday. Expected to enter are Cache, Daisy, Eight Thirty One, Heavenhasmynikki, Princess Warrior, Tell Your Mama, and Take Charge Paula.