Tepin arrives at Belmont Park before heading to Churchill Downs

ELMONT, N.Y. – Tepin arrived at Belmont Park on Friday as she continues to make her way back to the Churchill Downs division of trainer Mark Casse's stable following her historic victory over males in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 14.

Tepin cleared quarantine Friday and arrived at Belmont during the afternoon. She will begin the final leg of her journey home Sunday.

Randi Melton, Casse's New York assistant who oversees a string of 32 horses at Belmont, said Tepin "is looking like she didn't even go to England, nevertheless run and win. She's amazing."

Like everyone associated with Tepin, Melton is very proud of her Queen Anne victory. Tepin is the first American-based horse to win the Queen Anne, which is run over a one-mile straight course with an uphill incline during the final quarter-mile.

"Mark and [owner] Mr. Masterson are in it for the love of the sport," Melton said. "They had every reason not to go. No Lasix, no nasal strip, a straight course, soft ground. She had every reason not to win."

Melton has known Casse for many years and is a longtime employee. She celebrated a birthday Saturday.

"We all grew up in Ocala," she said. "It was different down there then. We were farm kids. Our parents all knew each other."