Tepin Confirmed for Keeneland's First Lady

Reigning champion turf female Tepin arrived at trainer Mark Casse's Churchill Downs barn Oct. 2 after spending her summer at Saratoga Race Course, and she's set to make her next start in the $400,000 First Lady (gr. IT) Oct. 8 at Keeneland.

         

"She got here (Sunday) morning and she'll go out to the track (Oct. 3) and just jog," said Casse's son and assistant Norman Casse. "It's all systems go for the First Lady."

            

Robert Masterson's daughter of Bernstein has put together a spotless 5-year-old campaign, remaining undefeated in six starts this year, punching a pair of victories at Tampa Bay Downs this winter in the Feb. 12 Lambholm South Endeavour (gr. IIIT) and the March 13 Hillsborough (gr. IIT) that were followed by decisive wins in the April 16 Coolmore Jenny Wiley (gr. IT) at Keeneland and May 7 Churchill Downs Distaff Turf Mile (gr. IIT). She then took her talents overseas to Royal Ascot, where she defeated some of the world's top milers in the Queen Anne (Eng-I)) before her most recent win in the Ricoh Woodbine Mile (Can-IT) Sept. 17. 

"I think we know that it's California Chrome  's title to lose," Norman Casse said, addressing chances for a Horse of the Year title for his stable star. "He's had an unbelievable year. We're just honored to be in the (Horse of the Year) discussion. We hope to end her campaign the right way. We've got two more races this year, so all we can do is hope for the best."

Tepin won last year's First Lady by seven lengths before she defeated males in the Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) at Keeneland. She is expected to continue on to this year's Mile Nov. 5 at Santa Anita Park.

Norman Casse also discussed how Tepin came out of her most recent effort at Woodbine.

"I was really surprised. When she came back from Woodbine, I thought the she would be more tired," he said. "She was really tired after the race. She had to ship back to Saratoga and I thought that it would knock her out. As soon as she came back to the racetrack three days later, she was better after the Woodbine Mile than she was going in. She seems happy to be back at her home at Churchill, so she should move forward from Woodbine."