Papilio puts smile back on Casse's face with victory in Appalachian Stakes

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Mark Casse said he went home Friday night from Keeneland disappointed with the sixth-place finish by Wonder Wheel in the Grade 1 Ashland.

Less than 24 hours later, Casse was in a much better frame of mind when Papilio, ridden by Javier Castellano, rallied to win the Grade 2, $338,600 Appalachian on the Keeneland turf.

“Yesterday was a rough day,” said Casse. “You go home licking your wounds. Today’s a better day.”

Papilio, who was ahead of just one other opponent in a field of nine 3-year-old fillies with a half-mile to go, returned $13.98 after finishing the two-turn mile in 1:36.32 over a course rated good. Cairo Consort was second by a neck, followed another length back by Heavenly Passage, who held third after setting the pace to deep stretch.

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Papilio had raced earlier in her career in Ireland and was making her second U.S. start after being narrowly defeated last month in the Grade 3 Herecomesthebride at Gulfstream Park. She appeared to crowd out the 2-1 favorite Pleasant Passage with about 100 yards remaining while Cairo Consort bore out slightly, also impeding Pleasant Passage. Despite Tyler Gaffalione checking Pleasant Passage sharply, there was no stewards’ inquiry or jockey objection.

The $2 exacta (2-3) paid $47.08, the $1 trifecta (2-3-4) returned $88.96, and the 10-cent superfecta (2-3-4-9) was worth $96.06.

The Edgewood on the May 5 Kentucky Oaks undercard is a logical next spot for Papilio, who earned $176,700 for a four-way partnership that includes the D J Stable of Leonard Green and family. The Greens, who own the 2022 champion 2-year-old filly Wonder Wheel, were here Friday but flew home to New Jersey later that evening.

As an Irish-bred daughter of Starspangledbanner, Papilio missed out on her share of an additional $100,000 in bonuses restricted to Kentucky-breds.

This was the third Appalachian win for Casse, who won it with Catch a Glimpse in 2016 and La Coronel in 2017.

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