Blueblood powers Casse's strong start to juvenile season

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Leading trainer Mark Casse is off to a quick start in 2-year-old racing at Woodbine this season, with eight wins from 24 starts. Two victories have come from Blueblood, who is now 2 for 2 after winning the Victoria Stakes on July 8 by three-quarters of a length over five furlongs on the Tapeta.

Blueblood, a $300,000 purchase by Casse and owner Fox Hill Farm at last September’s Keeneland yearling sale, has a few options available. Casse said Blueblood could stay at Woodbine and train up to the $125,000 Clarendon Stakes over 5 1/2 furlongs on Tapeta for Ontario-bred 2-year-olds on Aug. 5, but a start at Saratoga is not out of the question.

:: Christmas in July! Take 20% off PPs, Clocker Reports, and more

“It’s just whether we stay and run in the Clarendon,” he said. “I’ve talked to [owner Rick Porter] about possibly taking him to Saratoga to run him.”

Casse said at some point, Blueblood will end up running on turf, and a race such as the Grade 2, $200,000 Summer Stakes at Woodbine on Sept. 17 could be a target. The winner of the Summer Stakes will earn a fees-paid berth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 3.

“Our feeling is his future is on the turf,” Casse said. “He gets over the Tapeta, but our experience with him so far in the way he trains is he’s much, much better on the turf.”