Daily Racing Form National Digital Edition
Helium unlikely to race again before the Kentucky Derby
OLDSMAR, Fla. – Trainer Mark Casse said Helium emerged in good order from his 15-1 victory Saturday in the Tampa Bay Derby and that the Ironicus colt is unlikely to race again prior to the May 1 Kentucky Derby.
Helium, making his first start in nearly five months and just his third overall, fended off a sustained run from Hidden Stash in remaining unbeaten for DJ Stable and Casse in the annual Tampa signature event. The winning time of 1:43.55 for 1 1/16 miles equated to an 84 Beyer Speed Figure.
“It’s not 100 percent that we’ll go straight to the Derby, but that’s the way we’re leaning,” Casse said early Sunday from his Ocala farm. “The horse showed he can be effective off a layoff, and that race had to take something out of him, even though he was barely blowing afterward. I’d hate to rush him back just for the sake of getting another race into him.”
Helium was not among the 326 3-year-olds nominated to the 2021 Triple Crown by a Jan. 23 deadline, but Casse said DJ Stable intends to pay the $6,000 late fee by March 29 to make the colt eligible. DJ Stable is the nom de course of Leonard Green, a longtime owner and breeder with some 35 years in the sport, and the stable is managed by his son, Jon Green.
Casse noted that Helium was making his first start on dirt and first around two turns when emerging victorious Saturday despite a difficult trip. Ridden by Jose Ferrer, the colt was sluggish at the break and was ahead of just one of his 11 opponents under the wire the first time. He then was wide on both turns, swooping to command at the top of the stretch before turning back Hidden Stash under an aggressive hand ride from Ferrer.
“I’ve been doing this a long time, 40 years,” said Casse, “and that was one of the more amazing feats I’ve ever had a horse pull off. He’s had so many curveballs thrown at him already.”
Helium earned 50 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby and therefore will safely make the 20-horse cutoff. The colt was back at his Palm Meadows base shortly after midnight Eastern early Sunday, said Casse, and will remain there until sometime around early- to mid-April.
“I’d like to get a couple works in him at Churchill Downs before the Derby,” Casse said.
Meanwhile, trainer Vicki Oliver said Hidden Stash most likely goes next in the April 3 Blue Grass, a 100-40-20-10 qualifier at Keeneland. The colt, owned by BBN Racing, now has 22 points and probably could use a few more to be assured of a starting berth.
Saturday was a huge day for Tampa, with four other stakes being run on a 12-race card. The all-sources handle of more than $15.2 million was an all-time track record, surpassing the $14.8 million bet on Tampa Bay Derby Day in 2018. Nearly 4,000 were in attendance, including 3,000 limited tickets sold to the general public.
Dayoutoftheoffice back to work
Dayoutoftheoffice, runnerup in the Nov. 6 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies in her most recent start, breezed a halfmile Friday at Tampa in 49.40 seconds in her first timed workout since Jan. 24.
Trainer Tim Hamm has been insistent that he can make the April 30 Kentucky Oaks with Dayoutoftheoffice, with one qualifying prep in the interim. Dayoutoftheoffice, winner of the Schuylerville and Frizette last year in New York, was 22-1 in the Kentucky Oaks Future Wager that closed Sunday.
It’s been a difficult last few months for the top finishers in the Juvenile Fillies. The winner, Vequist, was defeated by 26 lengths in the Davona Dale in her only subsequent attempt, while third-finisher Girl Daddy has yet to breeze this year after taking ill several weeks ago.
Turf allowances top card
A pair of turf allowances will highlight a solid nine-race Wednesday card at Tampa, with race 5 going at a mile and the finale going at five furlongs. First post is 12:15 p.m. Eastern.
Race 5 (2:15) is a $27,250, second-level race for fillies and mares. No Way Jose, shipping in from the Atlantic Coast for Eddie Kenneally, looks like the one to beat in a field of seven.
Race 9 (4:19) is a $26,250, first-level race that drew an oversubscribed lineup of older horses. Chess Master, an easy last-out winner, could rule a slight favorite over Oceanic and Phase Out.
The next stakes at Tampa are the March 28 Florida Cup events, a series of six $110,000 races restricted to statebreds.
◗ Samy Camacho has regained the top spot in the local jockey standings in his back-and-forth battle with Antonio Gallardo. Camacho won five races here last week, including the sharp Chad Brown debut winner Lory on the Saturday undercard, in assuming a 72-70 lead.