With Eclipse in balance, Casse mulls racing Shamrock Rose in La Brea

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Mark Casse wishes he could somehow canvass Eclipse Award voters regarding the female sprint division.

Speaking this week from his Ocala, Fla., base, Casse said he wants to give time off to Shamrock Rose, the upset winner of the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint – but only if he feels confident she will be voted the divisional Eclipse over her obvious main rival for the award, Marley’s Freedom. The Dec. 26 La Brea at Santa Anita, a Grade 1 race restricted to 3-year-old fillies, could be used as a clinching factor, but Casse can’t tell if it’s necessary to run there.

Eclipse Award voting concludes in early January, and the results will be announced Jan 24.

“I can’t just wait and decide a week or two out whether to ship to California,” he said. “It’s a decision I need to make very soon. Either we keep her in serious training now, or we don’t. I honestly feel like she deserves it, so I’ll probably just sit chilly and rest her up and let the chips fall where they may.”

Meanwhile, Wonder Gadot, the 2018 Queen’s Plate winner who was fourth in the BC Distaff, also shipped to Ocala from Churchill alongside Shamrock Rose and will be freshened toward a 4-year-old campaign.

Also in Ocala, Flameaway, unraced since August, returned to training this week, while World Approval, the 2017 turf champion who soon turns 7, is ready to return to serious training after getting extended time off when his form went sour.

“We’re going to see how he does,” Casse said.

As for other Casse trainees: Awesome Slew, scratched from the BC Dirt Mile with a minor illness, may run in the Dec. 1 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct, “and if not, he’ll be retired,” Casse said.

Valadorna runs next in the Dec. 2 Matriarch at Del Mar, while War of Will, fifth in the BC Juvenile Turf, will be entered in a maiden race on the main track, probably on the second Stars of Tomorrow card on Nov. 24 at Churchill.

In local action, Casse was elated with a maiden victory Wednesday by Souper Jackpot, a half-brother to Awesome Slew, while he was disappointed when the 3-year-old debut of Conquistador was delayed when the colt was scratched at the gate prior to the sixth race Thursday.

Conquistador, purchased for $2.45 million in April 2017 by a partnership led by the Coolmore group, was kicked by an opponent in the paddock. A superficial flesh wound to his left stifle kept trickling blood during the warmup, precluding him from starting.

“He’s fine,” Casse said.