Tepin under consideration for Fourstardave

ELMONT, N.Y. – Following on the heels of an expected appearance by Songbird in the Coaching Club American Oaks and then the Alabama Stakes, another female superstar may run at Saratoga – and she may run earlier than expected.

Tepin, a winner of seven consecutive races, including a victory in the Group 1 Queen Anne at Royal Ascot, could make her next start against males in the Grade 1, $500,000 Fourstardave on Aug. 13.

Trainer Mark Casse had told Daily Racing Form earlier this week that the Grade 2, $400,000 Ballston Spa on Aug. 27, Travers Day, was a possibility for Tepin. But on Thursday, Casse said the Fourstardave , which will be run as a Grade 1 for the first time this year, may work out better from a timing standpoint.

The Fourstardave is 60 days from Tepin’s start in England and five weeks before the Sept. 17 Woodbine Mile, where Casse said he wants to run Tepin.

“I think that’s a great idea,” Casse said about the Fourstardave. “We’re going to think real hard about that.”

Tepin is at Churchill Downs but is expected to ship to Saratoga next week, Casse said.

Tepin has won 10 of her last 12 races; her only two losses over the last two years came at Saratoga. She lost the Grade 1 Diana by a nose to Hard Not to Like and the Ballston Spa by a head to Dacita.

Wise Dan won the Fourstardave, then a Grade 2, in 2012 and 2013 and was voted Horse of the Year in both seasons.