Tepin still taking it easy, with Jenny Wiley possible return spot

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Mark Casse has his eye on the April 15 Jenny Wiley at Keeneland as a potential comeback spot for Tepin, although the first workout for the two-time champion turf mare since going to the sidelines earlier this month has yet to be determined.

“We’re taking it easy with her for the time being,” assistant Norman Casse said Friday.

Tepin, 6, hasn’t raced since finishing second in the Breeders’ Cup Mile in November. She was scheduled to run last Saturday in the Endeavour Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs but missed the race after suffering a bout of colic.

Casse added that juvenile male champion Classic Empire could breeze Sunday or Monday at Palm Meadows “if he continues to train well.” Classic Empire is recovering from a hoof abscess diagnosed shortly after the colt’s third-place finish in the Feb. 4 Holy Bull at Gulfstream. He remains one of the early favorites for the May 6 Kentucky Derby.

Romans moving on up

Not long after Dale Romans exited the Gulfstream Park winner’s circle following a victory by Bourbon City in the fifth race Wednesday, he was laughing at what had just occurred.

“I ran my first winner 30 years ago today,” said Romans, referring to a seven-length victory by Miss Mindy on Feb. 15, 1987, at Turfway Park. “That one was for maiden-$3,500. This one was for maiden-$12,500. Now that’s progress, I’ll tell you.”

There have been quite a few winners of far greater import in the interim, which is why Romans can make light of himself. Voted the 2012 Eclipse Award for outstanding trainer, Romans has amassed nearly 1,900 career wins, including 112 in graded stakes.

Weep No More eyes Keeneland

Grade 1 winner Weep No More is back in serious training as Rusty Arnold looks to have her ready to begin her 4-year-old campaign at the Keeneland spring meet in April.

“She had some issues in behind, and we gave her three months on the farm,” said Arnold. “April Mayberry just sent her back to me in great shape.”

Weep No More, owned by Ashbrook Farm, was in the middle of a three-race win streak at this time last year, ending with the Grade 1 Ashland at Keeneland. She raced three more times, finishing behind Cathryn Sophia in the Kentucky Oaks, then behind Songbird in the Coaching Club American Oaks and Alabama, before going to the sidelines.

Mind Your Biscuits on track

Grade 1 winner Mind Your Biscuits is expected to be a solid favorite when he makes his 4-year-old debut next Saturday in the Grade 3, $100,000 Gulfstream Park Sprint at 6 1/2 furlongs. The colt will be making his first start for his new trainer, Chad Summers.

The Texas Glitter and Melody of Colors, a pair of turf sprints worth $75,000 apiece, also are on tap for Saturday. The next big day at Gulfstream is March 4, when the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth highlights a slate of nine stakes.