Explorationist caps Casse's hot streak with win in Tom Ridge Stakes
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLEMark Casse saddled his first American classic winner on Saturday as War of Will won the Preakness Stakes - and that wasn't all.
That same day, Casse trainees Power Gal and Preferred Guest went one-two in the Grade 3 Selene Stakes at Woodbine. On Sunday, he again swept the exacta in the Woodbine feature, with Federal Law leading home My Silencer in the Queenston Stakes. His barn sent out Souper Tapit to win the Grade 2 Eclipse Stakes on Monday at Woodbine.
And finally, Explorationist won the $100,000 Tom Ridge Stakes for 3-year-old sprinters on Monday night at Presque Isle Downs.
Explorationist ($11.80) and jockey Jerome Lemyte led throughout the six-furlong Tom Ridge, pulling away in the stretch to win by 2 1/4 lengths. The colt finished the six furlongs on Presque Isle's synthetic track in 1:09.70.
Longshot Crosstown Shootout closed to finish second, 2 1/4 lengths clear of Powell in third.
Explorationist, who has missed the board only once in his six-race career, is now 2 for 2 this year. The 3-year-old Pioneerof the Nile colt, who was an $825,000 juvenile purchase last year, came in to the Tom Ridge off a maiden win last month at Woodbine. He is owned by John Oxley and Gainesway Stable.
