Tepin Comes Out of Record Jenny Wiley in Top Shape

Robert Masterson’s Tepin made a big day even bigger for Casse Racing with her five-length victory April 16 in stakes-record time in the Coolmore Jenny Wiley (gr. I) before Keeneland’s third-largest, non-Breeders’ Cup crowd of 38,863.

The 5-year-old Bernstein mare helped trainer Mark Casse win three races on the day for the first time at Keeneland.

"We had a couple of big days a few years ago, but nothing like this," said Norman Casse, assistant to his father. "We won a grade I, placed in another graded stake, and won two strong maiden races."

NOVAK: Tepin Sets Jenny Wiley Record

Norman Casse said Tepin was tired but came out of the Jenny Wiley in good shape, with her legs cold and tight the morning of April 17.

“She is a little tired, but she did not get back to the barn at Churchill Downs until between 10 and 10:30 p.m. last night. It was a long day," he said.

Norman Casse said Tepin seems to be getting better because she has learned to relax earlier in a race.

"That has allowed her to do more than she could in her previous races, when she was more of a miler," he said. Out of seven starts Tepin made in 2015, four were at a mile and she won them all. She finished second once at 1 1/16 miles (Ketel One Ballson Spa Stakes, gr. IIT) and once at 1 1/8 miles (Diana Stakes, gr. IT). She won one allowance race at 1 1/16 miles at the beginning of 2015.

So far this year Tepin is undefeated in three races—two at 1 1/16 miles and the Jenny Wiley at 1 1/8 miles.