Robert Masterson's champion turf mare Tepin (Bernstein) breezed a bullet five furlongs over Saratoga's Oklahoma turf course Monday morning, covering the distance in :58.44 and besting workmate Ikerrin Road (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) in the process. Unraced since running her winning streak to seven in the G1 Queen Anne S. at Royal Ascot June 14, the Mark Casse trainee is being pointed to a start in the GI Woodbine Mile Sept. 17–a “Win and You're In” qualifier for a potential title defense in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile.
“We realized this is going to be one of her pretty big spaces in between races and decided we wanted to let her train a touch more aggressive today,” said trainer Mark Casse. “She looked good today and we're happy with the work. That just shows you how great she is.”
Tepin was previously under consideration for the GI Fourstardave H. earlier in the Saratoga meet, but Team Casse opted to give the dark bay more time to hit her best stride.
“Our next target is Woodbine but then we'll see,” added Casse. “We have a couple of options. We could go to Keeneland and maybe run in the GI Shadwell Mile [Oct. 8] or just bypass and go straight to the Breeders Cup. I feel like this was another positive move forward, so knock on wood.”
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