Francesca LeDonne Photo

Casse pair looks to challenge in Astoria

by Sean Morris

A talented field of 2-year-old fillies has assembled for the 108th running of the $150,000 Astoria on Thursday at Belmont Park.

Leading the way is a dynamic duo trained by Mark Casse, who will also saddle potential favorite War of Will in the Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets on Saturday.

Contested at 5 ½ furlongs on the main track, the Astoria will help kick off the stakes action for the three-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, which runs from June 6-8 and culminates in the 151st running of the Belmont. Joining the Astoria on Thursday's nine-race program are the Grade 3, $200,000 Intercontinental for older fillies and mares at seven furlongs on Widener turf and the Grade 3, $200,000 Wonder Again for 3-year-old fillies at 1 ⅛ miles on the turf.

Casse's pair, Reiterate and Perfect Alibi, owned by Gabe Grossberg and Tracy Farmer, respectively, each enter off a maiden victory. While the former dead-heated for the win on April 11 at Gulfstream Park, the latter blasted her competition on May 16 at Churchill Downs, drawing off to win by 9 ½ lengths. Despite the large discrepancy in their margins of victory, Casse said both have a big chance on Thursday.

"Both are good. They're coming in from different directions but I like them both," said Casse. "I know Perfect Alibi was extremely impressive in her debut and Reiterate dead-heated, but I don't think there's really that much difference between them. We think a lot of both of them and expect them to run well."

Like many of Casse's firsters, Perfect Alibi rallied from off the pace to break her maiden, which, according to her trainer, is not a coincidence.

"Winning first time is not a concern," said Casse. "If it happens, fine, but I always want them to learn to relax and come with a run. I train with the bigger picture in mind. My thought is that eventually you're going to run into someone bigger, stronger, faster, so you need to learn to relax behind horses."

Reiterate will leave from post 2 with Jose Ortiz aboard and Perfect Alibi will break just to her outside with Shaun Bridgmohan in the irons.

Rarely absent from any major juvenile event in the United States, trainer Wesley Ward will also send out a pair of runners in Ms Headley and Dixie Mo. Owned by Mike Puhich and Christina Jelm, Ms Headley won her debut on May 1 at Churchill Downs by two lengths, while the Fitriani Hay-owned Dixie Mo prevailed by four lengths in an off-the-turf maiden race on May 10 at Indiana Grand.

Ms Headley will occupy outermost post 9 with Irad Ortiz, Jr. aboard. Dixie Mo will be ridden by Dylan Davis from post 5.

Trainer Todd Pletcher and owner Mike Repole will be represented in the Astoria by Sneaky Surprise, a Repole homebred. After stumbling at the start, the daughter of Giant Surprise went on to best New York-bred competition by 4 ¼ lengths at first asking on May 9 at Belmont. She will retain the services of Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez and will break from post 6.

Twirling Owen, trained by Anthony Farrior for James Miller, will look to rebound after a disappointing showing in the Kentucky Juvenile on May 1 at Churchill. The daughter of Twirling Candy won impressively in her debut on April 18 at Laurel Park but faded to finish a well-beaten sixth in the Kentucky Juvenile after contesting a fast early pace against open competition. She will be ridden by Jevian Toledo and the duo will depart from post 8.

Rounding out the field are first-time starter Maryanorgingner from the inside post; Talk You Out of It, who has finished second in both starts for trainer Bruce Brown and Windylea Farm, from post 4; and Punk Rock Princess, who broke her maiden at Laurel Park last out, breaking from post 7.