Casse Eyes Sixth Mazarine

Trainer Mark Casse has won five of the past seven editions of Woodbine's GIII Mazarine S. and sends out three runners to try and add a sixth in this year's renewal. Leading the fray is Tracy Farmer's Skygaze (American Pharoah), a debut fourth going six panels on the turf in July before breaking through with a stylish seven-length score while trying the synthetic for the first time in a seven-furlong test Aug. 30.

“I thought her last race was tremendous,” said Casse. “She had a big Beyer, but more importantly, she's come back and trained extremely well. We think a lot of her. We liked her a lot [before the win], but our feeling is that she's progressed even more since then. We're excited about her.”

Sporting a similar progression, Gary Barber's Roman d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro) flattened out to fourth in her unveiling in a six-furlong turf maiden Sept. 1 before wiring a main track event Sept. 15.

“She's a really well-bred filly,” said Casse. “My brother [Justin Casse] bought her in France at the same sale where we bought [2019 Preakness Stakes champ] War of Will. The first time we ran her, we were expecting her to run a little better. It was on the grass, and she ran just okay. We ran her on the Tapeta next time out–Tyler was at Woodbine for the races, he rides a lot for Gary (Barber), so we let him ride her–and she was pretty impressive.”

Rounding out the Casse trio is another Farmer juvenile, maiden Special Honor (Honor Code). Third in her career debut over seven panel on the main track, the grey finished runner-up last out while negotiating just over a mile Sept. 28. Looking to stand in Casse's way is Josie Carroll with Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings and Windsor Boys Racing Curlin's Voyage (Curlin). Second and third, respectively, in a pair of 5 1/2-furlong main track tests July 7 and July 27, the chestnut came from off the pace to graduate going a route of ground Sept. 28. Eurico Da Silva, whose been aboard for all three prior starts, gets the call in the Mazarine.