Mark Casse hits 3,000-win milestone
MIAMI - Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse achieved his 3,000th lifetime victory when Souper Watson captured Thursday’s third race at Gulfstream Park West.
Casse, who was elected to the Hall of Fame earlier this year, became the 34th trainer in Thoroughbred history to win 3,000 races.
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Souper Watson is owned and was bred by Charlotte Weber’s Live Oak Plantation.
“It feels good,” said Casse, who watched the race on television with his son Colby from his farm in Ocala, Fla. “I’m happy to be able to do it for Mrs. Weber. Milestones mean a lot. When we won 1,000, I said, ‘Well that was nice.’ Then, when we won 2,000, I said, ‘I don’t think there will be 3,000.’ I don’t know if there will be 4,000. We’ll see.”
Casse, 59, has trained Eclipse Award winners Classic Empire, Shamrock Rose, Tepin, and World Approval. He has trained Canadian Horse of the Year winners Catch a Glimpse, Lexie Lou, Sealy Hill, Uncaptured, and Wonder Gadot. Last year, Casse won the Preakness Stakes with War of Will and the Belmont with Sir Winston.
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Souper Watson, a son of Ghostzapper, had been idle since finishing sixth in a very key maiden special weight race on the turf against older horses at Gulfstream Park on April 25. Casse removed the blinkers while spotting Souper Watson back with straight 3-year-old company for his return. Souper Watson responded by rallying from off the pace under Miguel Vasquez to a 1 ¾-length victory over Souper Energizer, another Live Oak Plantation homebred, who is trained by Michael Trombetta.