Casual Improves to 2-for-2 at Churchill Downs

Casual has a way to go to match the achievements of her dam, the grade-1 winning Mutakddim mare Lady Tak, but she is on the right path at this stage of her 3-year-old career.

The Curlin  filly improved her record to 2-for-2 by winning an $81,765 first-level allowance May 22 at Churchill Downs, racing seven furlongs on a fast track in 1:22.26. The victory followed an April 11 debut maiden score at Oaklawn Park.

Despite her pedigree, Casual ($5.80) was not favored in Friday's race. The public settled instead on OXO Equine's Center Aisle, a $1.5 million purchase last year who was also a debut winner, doing so at Gulfstream Park. But when the 3-5 favorite broke poorly and was caught in traffic down the backstretch, Casual held the upper hand. 

The winner pressed frontrunning Nayibeth through fractions of :22.93 and :46.16, slipped through along the inside to take the lead leaving the turn, and turned aside a bold stretch bid from She Can't Sing to win by 1 1/4 lengths. The victory was punctuated by a final furlong in :12.27.

"She was extremely impressive today," winning rider Ricardo Santana Jr. said. "She got pressure today, but you can tell she's getting better each day. She's a really nice filly and has a bright future ahead of her."

Shadilee finished third and Recoded was fourth. Center Aisle, who passed horses on the turn before her momentum was stalled down the stretch, finished fifth, beaten eight lengths.

Hall of Fame conditioner Steve Asmussen trains Casual, as he did Lady Tak, the winner of the Test Stakes (G1) and Ballerina Handicap (G1). Asmussen also saddled Curlin to two Horse of the Year titles after he was transferred to him after a maiden victory and private purchase.

Curlin currently stands for $175,000 at Hill 'n' Dale Farms near Lexington.

Though Lady Tak was most effective in sprints for much of her career, she won the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) at 1 1/16 miles in the spring of her 3-year-old season. 

A homebred for owners Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings and Stretch Run Ventures, Casual is related to stakes winners Melody Lady and A Shin Spartan.