Casse's big horses cranking up in Ocala

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Mark Casse has been well represented in the entry box throughout the opening six weeks of the Gulfstream Championship meeting, although he has spent the majority of his time this winter on the farm in Ocala, Fla. And for good reason.

Among the horses Casse has in his care in Ocala are Preakness winner War of Will, Eclipse Award candidate and multiple Grade 1 winner Got Stormy, and Perfect Alibi, a Grade 1 winner in her own right and idle since her fourth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. All three are gearing up to return later this winter or during the spring.

War of Will has not started since finishing ninth after setting the early pace in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Casse said he intends to bring War of Will back on the grass and keep him at a mile.

“He’s already a Grade 1 winner on dirt,” he said. “This year, I’d like to try to make him a Grade 1 winner on turf as well.”

War of Will is bred for grass, being by War Front out of a Sadler’s Wells mare. His female family includes Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Spinning World.

Got Stormy is in the running for an Eclipse Award in the Female Turf category, along with Uni and Sistercharlie. Got Stormy’s impressive 2019 résumé includes a victory over Uni in the Grade 1 Fourstardave and a season-ending win at Del Mar in the Grade 1 Matriarch. She split two decisions with Uni during the course of the year, including a second to that rival in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. The Eclipse Awards ceremony will be held next Thursday at Gulfstream.

“Right now, she is on track to run in the Endeavour,” Casse said, referring to the Grade 3 fixture on Feb. 8 at Tampa Bay Downs. “She doesn’t like much time off and she’s ready and raring to go again. As much as I’d love to win the Eclipse with her, I think she’s probably going in a bit of an underdog to Uni, but win or lose it’s an honor for me just to be there with her on Thursday.”

Casse said his goal for Perfect Alibi, winner of the Grade 1 Spinaway and Grade 2 Adirondack last summer at Saratoga, is to make the Kentucky Oaks on May 1 at Churchill Downs. She’s only had one easy breeze since the Breeders’ Cup, and Casse said he’s undecided whether he’ll keep her locally or take her to Fair Grounds when she’s finally ready to launch her 3-year-old campaign.

Casse also is eager to get his recently acquired 3-year-old prospect Untitled back to action, likely in the Grade 3 Swale here Feb. 1. Untitled was purchased privately by Gary Barber and turned over to Casse following his 11-length debut win Dec. 14, for which he received a 98 Beyer Speed Figure.

“I’ve worked him once here on the farm and once at Palm Meadows, and he’s doing very well,” Casse said.

Barber also owns Got Stormy and War of Will, and Casse thinks he deserves the Eclipse Award in the category of top owner.

“I don’t think anybody deserves to win the Eclipse for last year more than Gary,” Casse said, noting Barber’s many stakes wins on his own and in partnership last year. “But deep down, I feel he’s going to finish second to” Klaravich Stables and William Lawrence.