Tepin Lends Spice to Woodbine Mile

There are not many peppers hotter than a Tepin, and there aren’t many horses hotter than Tepin right now, either, as the reigning champion turf female and Royal Ascot heroine brings her international road show to Woodbine for the Ricoh Mile on Saturday, September 17. For FREE Brisnet PPs, CLICK HERE.

The Woodbine Mile has not suffered for star power in recent years with Horse of the Year Wise Dan winning in 2013-2014 and future Arlington Million winner Mondialiste taking the race last year. Still, even with those big names shipping to Canada to take one of that country’s top prize, it’s impossible to deny that Tepin brings a little extra heat given that she is putting her 7-race winning streak on the line against males.

“She’s a superstar, and she embraces it,” said assistant trainer Norm Casse, whose dad trains the five-year-old Bernstein mare for Robert Masterson. “She soaks up the media attention and likes the fans to come and see her.

“She was anointed ‘Queen of the Turf’ by [Churchill Downs announcer] Travis Stone when she won on Kentucky Derby day.”

Annexing the Woodbine Mile would not only embellish her resume for another Eclipse Award—she’s won all five starts this year including two Grade 1s—but also provide a key victory for team Casse.

“I’m really excited about the possibility of winning the Woodbine Mile,” Casse said. “It’s a race that has eluded dad so far. When we brought her back this year, one of our main goals was to come back and win what I think is Woodbine’s marquee race.”

That the Woodbine Mile has eluded the Casses is saying something considering the team has won nine consecutive training titles as well as other major prizes here such as the Queen’s Plate, E.P. Taylor, and Woodbine Oaks.

The Woodbine Mile is the last of 12 races and anchors guaranteed Pick 4 and Pick 5 pools. Post time is 6:39 p.m. EDT.