Casse sends out talented turf duo in competitive Grade 2 King Edward
At 1h05, on August 15, 2021 • By WOODBINE
Eight hopefuls, including Mark Casse trainees March to the Arch, and Olympic Runner, are set to contest the Grade 2 $175,000 King Edward Stakes, a one-mile event for three-year-olds and up on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course, Sunday at Woodbine.
Casse, who was recently feted with others at the combined 2020 and 2021 U.S. Horse Racing Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, has a pair of chances to notch his third King Edward crown, including with defending champ March to the Arch.
A lifetime winner of eight races from 27 starts, the six-year-old son of Arch, bred and owned by Live Oak Plantation, sports a record of 4-3-0 in seven Woodbine appearances.
After a second-place effort to 2020 Queen’s Plate winner Mighty Heart in the main track Grade 3 Dominion Day on July 1 at the Toronto oval, March to the Arch, as the 6-5 choice, rallied over good going on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course to notch a sharp 4 ½-length triumph in the Niagara Stakes, set at a distance of ‘about’ 1 1/8-miles.
Those first two starts of 2021 earned high praise from Casse.
“March to the Arch, what can I say? He’s a tough, old boy who has come back this year as strong as ever. His last race [July 25], it was very impressive. He ran really well.”
Casse expects another strong performance this Sunday.
“He should run well this weekend. He’s gotten better [over time]. Early on, he didn’t show a whole lot. It took him a while, but when he did put it all together, he did it well. He really has become better with age.”
