NEWS
Belmont Stakes next for Casino Drive after dominant Peter Pan win
Posted: Saturday, May 10, 2008 6:47 PM
CASINO DRIVE
Brandon Benson/NYRA photo
by Mike Curry
It is on to the Belmont Stakes (G1) for unbeaten Casino Drive, who delivered a decisive 5 3/4-length victory in his North American debut on Saturday in the $200,000 Peter Pan Stakes (G2).
Casino Drive entered the 1 1/8-mile Peter Pan amidst a great deal of hype based on his pedigree—he is by 2003 Horse of the Year Mineshaft out of 2007 Broodmare of the Year Better Than Honour, by Deputy Minister.
The chestnut colt was shipped to the United States from Japan after a dominant 11 1/2-length romp in his career debut specifically to prepare for the 1 1/2-mile Belmont Stakes, a race won by Casino Drive’s three-quarter sister Rags to Riches in 2007 and by his half brother Jazil in ‘06.
Trained by Kazuo Fujisawa for owner Hidetoshi Yamamoto, Casino Drive lived up to his advance billing as a Belmont Stakes contender with a convincing win.
“Today, he proved his ability,” Nobutaka Tada, managing director of Global Equine Management, said on behalf of Fujisawa and Yamamoto. “He had so much to overcome—only one race, more than a two-month layoff, long trip, and quarantine.
“He has so much potential to improve. He likes it here at Belmont Park. He feels like home. He’s an American-bred, so he is home,” added Tada, who signed the ticket for Casino Drive for $950,000 at the 2006 Keeneland September yearling sale.
Mint Lane set a testing pace through an opening quarter in :23.08 and a half-mile in :46.31. Casino Drive dropped back to fourth early, settled into a comfortable stalking position through a half-mile, and responded when given his cue by jockey Kent Desormeaux near the quarter pole.
Casino Drive accelerated past stablemate Spark Candle, an A.P. Indy colt out of champion Serena’s Song, and drove past Mint Lane at the top of the stretch to seize a 2 1/2-length lead. He extended his advantage in the final furlong and prevailed in 1:47.87 in his second career start.
Mint Lane held off late-closing Ready’s Echo by a half-length for third. Spark Candle faded to sixth as part of a coupled entry with Casino Drive that was sent off as the 1.25-to-1 favorite.
Desormeaux rode unbeaten Big Brown to a 4 3/4-length win in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) on May 3 and will be aboard the Boundary colt in the Preakness Stakes (G1) on May 17. The Eclipse Award winning rider was prepared for the inevitable questions about a showdown between Big Brown and Casino Drive in the Belmont.
“I certainly can understand how Jazil and Rags to Riches won the Belmont. Yeah, he can run a lot,” Desormeaux said of Casino Drive. “It’s going to be fun. He’s a phenomenal talent, and we’ve got our hands full with this one. It’s going to be ultimately exciting for all of the fans.”
Casino Drive is one of four winners from as many starters out of 1998 Demoiselle Stakes (G2) winner Better Than Honour, who finished second in 1999 in the Acorn Stakes (G1) and third in the Mother Goose Stakes (G1), both at Belmont.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Mike Curry is Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
