Mark Casse

Woodbine is a track of two tales: history and innovation. The home of the historic Queen's Plate--which will be run for the 163rd time Sunday thus making it the longest continuously run race in North America--has been undergoing renovations that on a conceptual level, might border on the fantastical. That is, until it is seen in person. At the forefront of structural renewal, Woodbine, which covers 684-acres of prime real estate in the Toronto suburb of Etobicoke, currently stands against a backdrop of development that would make most other racing...

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency 2nd-ELP, $60K, Msw, 2yo, f, 1m, 4:28 p.m. A $535,000 KEESEP yearling purchase, SOLO ALBUM (Curlin) debuts Friday out of the Mark Casse barn for owners Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners & Gary Barber. Out of GISP Summer Solo (Arch), who has already produced three winners from as many to race, Solo Album is a half-sister to SW & GSP Maedean (Tapit), who herself brought $500,000 from Ever Union Shokai at last year's Keeneland November Sale while carrying to Nyquist. Her dam is a half-sister to a...

X-Men Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, and SF Racing LLC's Moira (Ghostzapper) was listed as the 5-2 morning-line favorite during Wednesday morning's post position Queen's Plate draw, held at Woodbine's newly-opened Stella Artois Terrace. In addition to the Woodbine Oaks winner, who will exit gate 8 with regular pilot Rafael Hernandez aboard, a total of 10 colts have signed on for Sunday's $1-million 10-furlong Classic, the first jewel in the Canadian Triple Crown. "Typically, when you win the Oaks, depending on how impressive they are doing it, you always have to...

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency 5th-SAR, $105K, Msw, 2yo, f, 7f, 3:21 p.m. EDT D J Stable's RENEGADE REBEL (Nyquist) makes her career bow in this spot for trainer Mark Casse. Privately purchased from Shadwell by Barry Eisaman, the gray summoned $700,000 from OBS April after breezing in :10 flat. Her second dam is MG1SW Sierra Madre (Fr) (Baillamont), who is also responsible for European champion Aljabr (Storm Cat). Wayne Catalano unveils Coffeepot Stables homebred Mirus (Medaglia d'Oro). The dark bay is out of MGSW & GISP Farrell (Malibu Moon),...

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY - By far, the most enthusiastic applause during the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame induction ceremony Friday morning was for a video clip of race that everyone in the audience likely had seen many times. Beholder's (Henny Hughes) career-capping victory by a nose over the previously unbeaten champion Songbird (Medaglia d'Oro) in the 2016 GI Breeder's Cup Distaff was nearly as gripping on the big screen at the Fasig-Tipton sales pavilion as it was live at Santa Anita Park. For sheer drama it ranks with...

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency 2nd-SAR, $105K, Msw, 2yo, f, 5 1/2fT, 1:39 p.m.   Purchased for $525,000 by trainer Kent Sweezey for R.S. Evans out of this year's OBSAPR sale following a :9 4/5 breeze, ILLICIT (Into Mischief) debuts in this spot. Bred by Evans, she was purchased by Gene Recio for $150,000 at Keeneland September and Evans was so impressed with how she developed, he bought her back. The bay is out of a half-sister to GSW Ocho Ocho Ocho (Street Sense) and GSP Private Ensign (A.P. Indy)....

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY-Just like Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d'Oro) and Zenyatta (Street Cry {Ire}) in 2016, Beholder (Henny Hughes) and Tepin (Bernstein) are entering the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame together Friday in their first year of eligibility. Six years after the no-brainer election package, Hall of Fame voters selected two brilliant race mares of the second decade of the 21st century to join the best-of-the-best club on Union Avenue. Though they excelled on different surfaces, there are plenty of similarities. Both were well-beaten in their career debuts. Both...

The National Museum of Racing will induct the 2022 Hall of Fame class Friday, Aug. 5 at Fasig-Tipton. The event is slated to begin at 10:30 a.m. Tom Durkin will serve as the master of ceremonies. The event is open to the public and free to attend. The ceremony will also be broadcast live on the Museum website at racingmuseum.org. A stellar class of inductees comprises the 2022 ceremony, namely four-time Eclipse Award winner Beholder (Henny Hughes); Hillsdale (Take Away), who is also the first Indiana-bred in the Hall of...

A lack of competitors doesn't always translate to a lack of competition and the GII Shuvee S. at Saratoga is a case in point, with an abbreviated field of four featuring a pair of titans. Fellow Curlin daughters Clairiere and Malathaat will bring their rivalry to round six in the 1 1/8-mile contest at the Spa; the latter coming out on the better end on four prior occasions. Malathaat will be breaking from the gate sporting blinkers for the first time in her career, likely intended to combat her tendency...

10th-WO, $123.2K, Msw, 3yo/up, 7fT, 5:51 p.m. Gary Barber's $550K KEENOV buy MEDAGLIA MO (Medaglia d'Oro) makes her career bow in this spot for trainer Mark Casse. Her dam, GSW & GISP Mokat (Uncle Mo), was purchased by Springhouse Farm for $800,000 at KEENOV with this filly in utero. Mokat is a half to GSW Frolic's Dream (Smoke Glacken). Chiefswood Stables homebred Indy Champagne (Curlin) also debuts in this event. The bay is a half to graded winners Yorkton (Speightstown) and Weyburn (Pioneerof the Nile). TJCIS PPs

Wonder Wheel broke better and showed more speed than she did on debut to set strong splits and draw off impressively in Monday's Debutante S. at Churchill Downs. Having taken her local unveiling by 2 1/4 lengths from off the pace June 3, the $275,000 KEESEP acquisition emerged from between horses here to dole out an opening quarter of :21.52. Already well clear and threatening to run away from them after the half in :45.05, Wonder Wheel did just that as she cruised away to a facile  score. Sabra Tuff)...

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency 4th-CD, $120K, Msw, 2yo, f, 6f, 2:13 p.m. Heider Family Stables' STUNNINGLY (Gun Runner) makes her first trip to the post Monday for trainer Steve Asmussen. Out of stakes winner Happy Mesa (Sky Mesa), the chestnut filly was a $675,000 Keeneland September acquisition. Trainer Mark Casse sends outs firster Forever Dixie (Quality Road). The John Oxley homebred is a daughter of graded winner Dixie Strike (Dixie Union). Ken McPeek saddles the debuting Aunt Mischief (Into Mischief), a daughter of Grade I placed Motown Lady (Uncle...