Norm Casse, assistant to his father Mark, sent out three high-profile workers in preparation for engagements Thanksgiving weekend at Churchill Downs. Runner-up in the GI 14 Hands Winery Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and 'TDN Rising Star' Valadorna (Curlin) breezed a half-mile in :47.80 under regular rider Julien Leparoux, her first significant activity since the Breeders' Cup. She is considered probable for the Nov. 26 GII Golden Rod S.
“We're still not 100% on whether or not we would run her back,” Casse said. “Julien was happy with her after the work, so we know that she breezed well [Friday] morning and she showed a good energy level, but we'll just go day by day for now until we decide exactly what we'll do with her.”
The Casses have a second contender for the Golden Rod should Valadorna defect, John C. Oxley's Dream Dancing (Tapit), who covered a half-mile in :48 flat and would be making her first start since running fifth in the GI Darley Alcibiades Oct. 6 at Keeneland.
“I just think she's a talented horse,” Casse said. “When she came in and ran [fourth] in the [Sept. 17 GII] Pocahontas, I think she really needed the race. It was her first start on the dirt and then she had a bad trip in the Alcibiades and she's gotten to train up to this race and she's worked really well at this racetrack.”
Noble Bird (Birdstone) also covered a half-mile Friday, going in :47.80 in preparation for a try in the GI Clark H. Nov. 25. He comes into the race off a track record-setting performance in annexing Keeneland's GII Fayette S. Oct. 29.
“It was a typical work for Noble Bird,” Casse commented. “I'm really excited about him running. I think that he has a big shot to win the Clark. I'm just really happy with the way he's coming into the race. I'm feeling like between the barn and Julien, we've figured him out a little better and he's worked really well coming up to this race. We just stay out of his way and pick spots where there isn't a whole lot of speed.”
Casse is optimistic that his trio could provide a feast for the barn on Thanksgiving weekend. “We could be sitting on a pretty big weekend,” he said. “Overall, I think that the morning went as good as it could have possibly done.”
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