Enforceable hints that he may be ready to keep promise

Enforceable won the 2020 Lecomte Stakes to emerge as a candidate for Triple Crown races last year. The day after the 2021 Lecomte Stakes, Enforceable emerged as a possible force in the older dirt-route division.

Racing in a second-level allowance Sunday at Fair Grounds, Enforceable finally put to full force the raw talent his connections believed they’d recognized in him even before his Lecomte win. Seventh in the Kentucky Derby in September, Enforceable finished 12th on turf in the Bryan Station on the Breeders’ Cup Friday undercard, then delivered a quiet performance finishing third in a Dec. 18 Fair Grounds dirt allowance.

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The Enforceable who showed up this past Sunday looked like an entirely different animal. Under Adam Beschizza, he stuck within easy striking distance of a modest pace before attacking past the quarter pole with a purpose and efficiency he’d never revealed. This race was over at the furlong pole, and at the wire Enforceable was ahead by eight lengths. He stopped the timer in 1:43.33 for 1 1/16 miles and earned a 103 Beyer Speed Figure, a career-best by 12 points.

“I loved it, but let’s see him do it twice,” said trainer Mark Casse, who leaves daily oversight of his Fair Grounds division to assistant David Carroll. “We have to figure out how to get him to do it again. I will say he looks better than he ever has. As a 2-year-old and a 3-year-old, he always looked like a big, lanky kid, and he’s filling in a little bit. We’ve always had such high hopes for him. You feel like you know it’s there, but you’re waiting for it to come out.”

The obvious spot for Enforceable is the Feb. 13 Mineshaft at Fair Grounds, and that, Casse said, is the plan. Enforceable is a John Oxley-owned 4-year-old by Tapit out of Justwhistledixie, the fourth graded stakes winner produced by the mare following New Year’s Day, Mohaymen, and Kingly.

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The Casse barn will have more Feb. 13 stakes action with Souper Sensational, who finished second, beaten 3 1/2 lengths by Charlie’s Penny, in the Jan. 16 Silverbulletday Stakes for 3-year-old fillies and will start next in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes. Making her first start on dirt and around two turns, Souper Sensational and jockey Declan Carroll broke from the fence in the Silverbulletday and were squeezed back to last going into the clubhouse turn when horses dropped down on her. Souper Sensational followed Charlie’s Penny into the stretch, but the winner had gotten a better trip, had plenty left, and dashed clear.

“I was happy with her,” Casse said. “We got a little unlucky. I was looking for her to finish up, and she came with a run. I think it’ll set her up nice for the Rachel Alexandra.”