Casson prevails in King Corrie Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Casson won Sunday’s seven-furlong King Corrie Stakes at Woodbine as the favorite under a hot Rafael Hernandez, and the son of Caravaggio could stretch out for his next start to see if he’s King’s Plate material.

Highwaytothemoon and Impulsive Bid dueled through honest fractions while the slow-starting Casson tracked them from a three-wide position through the turn. Highwaytothemoon assumed command in the stretch before Casson wore him down in the final furlong to prevail by 1 1/2 lengths, in a time of 1:23.51.

Reload Raleigh finished another 3 3/4 lengths back in third. He was followed by Learntodiscover, Rude Procedure, Fire and Wine, and Impulsive Bid.

Hernandez, who won three races on the card, said Casson has changed for the better this year. Last year’s leading stakes rider at Woodbine, Hernandez piloted the colt in a front-running score in the Victoria Stakes last July in the only other time he rode him.

“He’s more mature,” Hernandez said. “He broke a step slow, and I thought he was going to be more forward (than he was), but he relaxed good. He didn’t panic. He just went around and did his thing.”

Casson ($3.50) earned $72,000 of the $118,400 purse for owners Manfred and Penny Conrad.

Trainer Mark Casse didn’t rule out the Grade 3 Marine going 1 1/16 miles as the next start for Casson, who is nominated to the Canadian Triple Crown, which includes the $1 million King’s Plate on Aug. 15.

“Maybe… will have to think about it,” Casse said. “(I’m) very happy for the Conrads.”

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.