Trainer Casse Provides Updates on Star Filly Counting Stars and Promising Colt Mindfield
Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse recently provided an update on two of his notable horses: Counting Stars, a formidable filly aiming for the Grade 1 Alabama Stakes, and Mindfield, an intriguing two-year-old colt making his debut. Counting Stars is demonstrating exceptional form and resilience, while Mindfield, despite his young age, shows considerable talent and potential, adding to the anticipation for upcoming races at Saratoga.
Counting Stars, an impressive thoroughbred, recently completed a four-furlong workout on the Saratoga main track, clocking a time of 48.93 seconds. Trainer Casse expressed his astonishment at her performance, noting her continued ability to surprise him with her speed and power. Her exercise rider, Reynaldo Dumont, was instructed to allow her a swift start, which she executed flawlessly, hitting her first furlong in just 12 seconds. Casse then asked Dumont to let her relax post-wire, but she surged forward, demonstrating her innate drive. This dynamic performance sets a strong precedent as she prepares for the Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama Stakes, scheduled for August 22nd. Counting Stars is entering this prestigious race on the back of impressive local victories in the Acorn (G1) in June and the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) on July 25th, showcasing her consistent high-level performance.
Owned by West Point Thoroughbreds, Counting Stars is set to tackle the 1 1/4-mile distance for the first time in the Alabama Stakes. Her previous outing in May saw her secure a third-place finish in the Kentucky Oaks (G1), indicating her prowess against top competition. Her progression and adaptability to longer distances will be a key factor to watch in her upcoming race.
Meanwhile, the Casse barn is also introducing John Oxley’s Mindfield, a two-year-old colt, in Saturday’s second race at Saratoga, a six-furlong maiden for New York-breds. Mindfield, a product of the three-time Grade 1 winner Mind Control, has an interesting sales history, having been sold three times. He initially fetched $20,000 as a short yearling at the 2025 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky February mixed sale, then was pinhooked for $55,000 at the Keeneland September yearling sale later that year. Prior to his $700,000 sale at this year’s OBS spring two-year-olds in training sale, Mindfield demonstrated his athleticism by breezing one furlong in 9.6 seconds and galloping out two furlongs in a swift 20 seconds. Mark Casse's brother, Justin, made the successful bid for the dark bay colt, who was unnamed at the time.
Mark Casse holds high hopes for Mindfield, describing him as a "beautiful horse" with significant talent. However, Casse acknowledges that Mindfield might require a bit more ground to truly excel and that he doesn't possess exceptional gate speed. Casse drew parallels to another horse, Road Show, who also lacked early speed but finished strongly for second in a maiden special weight race. Casse's excitement about Mindfield is palpable, though he emphasizes that the colt's early race performance will be crucial. Mindfield is currently listed as the 7-2 favorite on the morning line and will be ridden by Luis Saez from post position 4.
The Casse stable is facing a particularly busy Saturday, with a total of 24 entrants scheduled to race across five different tracks. Beyond Mindfield's debut, the stable will also be represented at Saratoga by Road Show, listed at 7-5 in Race 3, and Mauna Loa in the Listed $200,000 Galway, a 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint for three-year-old fillies, carded as the 10th race. At Woodbine, Casse has an impressive 14 entrants spread across eight races, including Military Time (12-1) in the King’s Plate, a race that Casse has previously won three times, showcasing the breadth and depth of his training operation.
The upcoming races at Saratoga promise to be thrilling, with Mark Casse's well-prepared charges, Counting Stars and Mindfield, taking center stage. Their performances will undoubtedly be closely watched by racing enthusiasts eager to see these equine athletes compete at the highest levels, further cementing Casse's reputation as a master trainer.