Trainer Mark Casse’s next chance to notch career win No. 3,000 is scheduled to come Thursday at Gulfstream Park West in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Following the cancellation of Sunday’s program at Woodbine, where he had seven horses entered, Casse’s milestone win could be reached with Live Oak Plantation’s Souper Watson in Thursday’s Race 3 at Gulfstream Park West. The 3-year-old Ghostzapper gelding is scheduled to make his first start since April 25 in the 7 ½-furlong maiden special weight race on turf.
Casse, who was elected to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame this year, also has entered What a Beaut in Thursday’s Race 6, a 7 ½-furlong turf allowance for Florida-bred fillies and mares, at Gulfstream Park West. However, his second shot at No. 3000 – should Souper Watson come up short in Race 3 – is likely to come in Churchill Downs’ Race 5, which has a scheduled post time a few minutes earlier than Race 6 at Gulfstream Park West, according to Equibase.
Gary Barber’s What a Beaut, a 4-year-old daughter of Beau Choix, finished second in a Nov. 2 optional claiming allowance at Gulfstream Park West n her first start since May.
Casse has an additional entry at Churchill and two entries at Woodbine following Gulfstream Park West’s Race 6 on Thursday.
A native of Indiana, Casse took out his trainer’s license at the age of 17 in Massachusetts. He saddled his first career winner Joe’s Coming in 1979 and his first graded stakes winner in 1984 when winning the Jamaica (G3) at Belmont Park with Raja’s Shark. A 12-time Sovereign Award winner, Casse is ranked sixth in North America this year in wins (171) and purse earnings ($10.777). Just a few of Casse’s many highlights include saddling winners in the 2019 Preakness (War of Will) and 2019 Belmont (Sir Winston) and training two-time champion Tepin, winner of the Queen Anne Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot.
Casse has won training titles at Woodbine, Keeneland, Churchill and Turfway. He will become the 34th horseman to win 3000 races.
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