Casse looks for early Spa success by sending out G3 Schuylerville contender Pretty Birdie
At 0h03, on July 15, 2021 • By SARATOGA
Trainer Norm Casse said he is hoping to start the Saratoga Race Course summer meet on a high note when he sends out Pretty Birdie on Opening Day on Thursday in the Grade 3, $150,000 Schuylerville.
Owned by Marylou Whitney Stables, the homebred juvenile daughter of Bird Song won at first asking on June 18 at Churchill Downs, leading at every point of call and extended her advantage throughout the five-furlong journey to win by 3 3/4 lengths.
Casse said he noticed something special in Pretty Birdie since she arrived at his barn from Ocala, where she was broken by Randy Bradshaw.
“We’ve always been high on her,” Casse said. “She came up from Randy Bradshaw with other Whitney babies. It was pretty obvious from day one that she was the most precocious. She’s professional, fast, loves to run and just has all the kind of qualities you look for in a racehorse. So, she’s earned her spot in this race. We’re just hoping for a little bit of luck.”
Casse learned his craft as an assistant from his father, Hall of Famer Mark Casse. He now seeks his first graded stakes triumph at the Spa since going out on his own in 2018, and his second graded stakes victory overall of his career. In 2019, he saddled Hard Legacy – also owned by Marylou Whitney Stables – to a score in the Grade 3 Regret at Churchill Downs.
“To win the Schuylerville on opening day at Saratoga, with everything going back to normal after the pandemic, would be amazing,” Casse said. “Obviously, it’s a privilege to be associated with the Whitneys and John [Hendrickson], knowing what they mean to the town of Saratoga.”
