A Hall of Fame trainer in both Canada and the United States, Mark Casse will soon be the regular for a Hall of Fame horse.
When Robert Masterson’s Tepin, the 2015-16 championship mares, joins the National Racing Museum and Hall of Fame roster on August 5 in Saratoga Springs, NY, Casse will be participating in the events. the re-introduction ceremony after accepting its own placard in 2021.
“She has a lot of history with Saratoga,” Casse reflects on August 4 on the back of Racecourse Saratoga. “This is where Mr. Masterson bought her. We jogged back and forth all our horses back and forth (near the stables), and I said the day before,” I wonder if Tepin has jogged up and down. How many times have you been here? ”
Tepin was only purchased by Masterson for $140,000 from a Select Sale shipment for The Saratoga Sale, a select sale of the year by Fasig-Tipton in Saratoga. She went on to win six tier 1 races with a 13-5-1 record from 23 starts, with earnings of $4,437,918.
“She’s never won at Saratoga and I think she’s not really interested in the deep track, training every day on it, and I think that’s cost her a little bit,” said Cassie. speak. “She’s still trying, though.”
At The Spa, Tepin lost his Diana Stakes (G1T) stake in 2015 to Hard Not to Like and was second to Dacita in Ketel One Ballston Spa Stakes (G2T). Her career was capped by wins in the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1T) at Keeneland and the 2016 Queen Anne Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot.
Tepin and her relationships after her win in 2016 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot
Casse said: “I think what could take her over the line (to enter the Hall of Fame) is her win at Royal Ascot and that’s all the Mastersons. “He meant to go there. I was hesitant. Now after she’s won, I’ve actually started to pay a lot more attention to it and realize it’s really a great feat. I know. it was a bit, but (now I realize it was) a huge feat.”
The son of late horseman Norman Casse, the conciliator recalls his longtime relationship with Saratoga as he ponders Tepin’s upcoming honors.
“I still have to pinch myself,” he said. “It’s special to me in that I didn’t know that everyone has the same family history of Saratoga as I do. It brings back so many memories of my dad. I just lost my mother a month ago. (Last year) it very emotional for the Hall of Fame (touch) because I spoke about her sacrifices.
“I sat right up there at that end (of the grandstand) and watched Onion beat the Secretary. I’ve been here a long time and to get to the Hall of Fame and then ride into the Hall of Fame, once. Again, pinch me.”
Casse, 61, said he has been coming to Saratoga Racecourse since he was 8 or 10 years old.
“There was a columnist named Chuck Tilley for Daily Racing Form and he wrote an article when I was 10 or 12 years old, I’d say number 10 that, ‘If you see a little boy hiking on the street Northway, pick it up—She’s on her way to Saratoga,” he said with a smile.
