Decision time for Tepin

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Trainer Mark Casse said he expects a decision to be made this weekend regarding the next race for Tepin, the 5-year-old mare whose 6-for-6 record and stakes wins in three countries this year has her in the running for Horse of the Year.

“She’s breezing Friday morning at Saratoga and will van down to Churchill on Sunday,” said Casse, whose son and assistant, Norman, has been overseeing the mare.

Casse said Tepin will run in one of the Grade 1 turf races Oct. 8 at Keeneland – either the Shadwell Turf Mile versus males or the First Lady versus females – as her final prep before a title defense in the Nov. 5 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita.

“We intend to decide not long after she breezes,” he said.

◗ Jose Ortiz, the leading jockey at Saratoga this summer, intends to ride a good portion of the upcoming fall meet at Keeneland, his agent, Jimmy Riccio, announced this week on Twitter.

Ortiz will ride the first seven days of the meet (Oct. 7-9 and Oct. 12-15) and at least one other day, Riccio said. The 17-day meet runs through Oct. 29.

◗ Paid Up Subscriber breezed a half-mile Monday in 49.80 seconds at Churchill in her first workout since a fifth-place finish in the Aug. 27 Personal Ensign. She will breeze once more before running in the Oct. 9 Spinster at Keeneland, trainer Al Stall Jr. said.

Paid Up Subscriber is one of the probable favorites for the Grade 1 Spinster, along with I’m a Chatterbox, Tara’s Tango, and Engaginglee.

◗ This being the peak of the political season, the time seems right for a horse named The Gipper to be unveiled.

The Gipper, the nickname of the late Ronald Reagan, was named by owner Staton Flurry, an Arkansas businessman who had a great admiration for Reagan, trainer Brad Cox saud. The 2-year-old colt debuts in the fifth race Friday at Churchill.