Lexie Lou done for 2015, will return next year

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Lexie Lou, the 2014 Canadian Horse of the Year, will not run again in 2015, trainer Mark Casse said.

Lexie Lou was scheduled to make her first start since January in an allowance race Aug. 26 at Woodbine as a prep for the Grade 2 Canadian Stakes on Sept. 13. Instead, she was scratched from that allowance after experiencing swelling in one of her eyes.

“She won’t run this year,” Casse said. “Lexie is back in Ocala. Her eye just did not respond as quickly as we would have liked. She’s doing better, and we’re just going to wait and see.”

Casse said owner Gary Barber had contemplated selling Lexie Lou this November but instead will bring the daughter of Sligo Bay back for her 5-year-old campaign.

“Gary was looking at the option of selling her [at public auction], but in my last conversation with him, he said he loves racing, and as long as her eye is going to be okay, we’re going to try to run her again next year,” Casse said.

Casse juveniles point to Breeders’ Cup

For the second straight year, Casse swept the local Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In juvenile stakes – the Grade 2 Natalma and Grade 2 Summer stakes, both Sept. 12 – and he said this year’s winners, Conquest Daddyo and Catch a Glimpse, will train up to their respective starts in the Breeders’ Cup rather than running in another prep race.

“Both of them have had three starts, and they’re both not big horses,” he said. “I think they’ll benefit with a little time between races.”

Casse said Catch a Glimpse will be sent from Woodbine to Keeneland after the Keeneland September yearling sale is completed, while Conquest Daddyo will remain at Woodbine for the time being.

“Right now, Keeneland has the sale going on, but as soon as it ends, they’ll open up the stable area, and we’ll have horses there,” he said. “I will definitely move Catch a Glimpse down early. She takes more time to adjust to her new surroundings, so I’ll get her down here as soon as I can. I may leave Conquest Daddyo at Woodbine for a little longer.”

Conquest Daddyo, Catch a Glimpse, and Grade 1 winner Tepin make up Casse’s current roster of probable starters for the Breeders’ Cup. Casse said another six horses are being considered, including five juveniles. Siding Spring, Airoforce, Conquest Windycity, Conquest Big E, and Gametown are all likely to make their next starts during the opening weekend of the Keeneland meet to determine their Breeders’ Cup status, while Kaigun, fourth in the Woodbine Mile, will be pointed to the Grade 3 Sycamore Stakes at Keeneland on Oct. 15 with an eye toward the Breeders’ Cup Turf.

“We’ve got a lot of things still up in the air,” Casse said.

Florida Won on target for Durham Cup

Florida Won shipped to Presque Isle Downs to win his most recent start Sept. 6 in the Presque Isle Mile and will target the Grade 3, $150,000 Durham Cup on Oct. 4 at Woodbine for his next start, Casse said.

Florida Won raced off the pace early in the Presque Isle Mile under jockey Patrick Husbands and appeared to be caught in traffic at the top of the stretch before finding room along the rail in the last eighth of a mile to win his second straight start.

Florida Won has shown strong form on synthetic dating back to his first start on the surface last year in the Grade 3 Ontario Derby. Florida Won has recorded three stakes wins in four starts on synthetic surfaces, including two victories in graded stakes, while also finishing second July 1 in the Grade 3 Dominion Day Handicap. Despite his success on synthetic surfaces, Casse said he would like to try Florida Won on turf again.

“The problem with the synthetic is the opportunities are limited, so I would at some point in time like to try him on the turf,” he said. “But that’s not going to be anytime soon. I’d like to see him be champion older horse in Canada. If he could pull off this next one, he would have a good chance.”

Florida Won is among the leaders in the older male division, and his accomplishments this year could be considered even more remarkable since he required colic surgery shortly after his win in the Ontario Derby last September.

“He’s one of my favorite horses,” Casse said. “He comes to play every time. He runs hard, and he’s gotten better and better. For him to overcome colic surgery and do what he’s been able to do speaks volumes for him.”