TDN APB: Cassatt

CASSATT
(f, 3, Tapit–Justenufftime, by Giant’s Causeway) 
O-Fox Hill Farms Inc; B-Mt. Brilliant Farm LLC (KY); T-Larry Jones. 
*$300,000 yrl ‘12 KEESEP. 
Last Start: 1st Msw at FG Jan. 9. 

   Cassatt (Tapit)–tabbed as a “TDN Rising Star” off the strength of a jaw-dropping maiden win at Fair Grounds most recently Jan. 9 (video)–is on the comeback trail. 
   Moved up to second via disqualification in her debut going two turns at Churchill Downs Sept. 20, the Fox Hill Farms colorbearer was hammered into 3-5 favoritism on the turnback to six furlongs in her sophomore debut. With Rosie Napravnik in the irons, the gray chased in fourth through an opening quarter in :21.84. Hard held on the far turn while awaiting racing room, Napravnik remained cool as she was still stuck in traffic into the lane. She finally found a seam in deep stretch and Cassatt quickened on cue like a good thing to win going away by 4 1/4 lengths. 
   “The reason that we had to back off on her was that she had a shin issue,” owner Rick Porter revealed. “We gave her some time and we’ve brought her back slowly. Everything is going fine now, and [trainer] Larry [Jones] says her shins look good. Hopefully, we’ll be able to increase her breezes and get her back to the track in 45-60 days.” 
    Cassatt–produced by an unraced half-sister to champion and GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies heroine Dreaming of Anna (Rahy)–has posted two bullets since rejoining Jones’ Delaware Park string, including a best-of-23 three-furlong move in :36 June 7. While Porter admits that it’s a bit too early to start targeting specific stakes races, the expectations for Cassatt couldn’t be higher. 
    “We want to get her back in somewhat of an easy race and go from there,” Porter commented. “Larry’s been high on her and she’s bred to go long. He said that if this horse had the mind of [Horse of the Year] Havre de Grace (Saint Liam) that they would be on the same level.” 
    Porter’s response? 
    “I said, ‘Well Larry, all you got to do is get a psychologist over there and start working on her mind.’” 
Porter concluded, “She has a lot of ability, and as long as we can keep her sound, I think you’re going to see her in the big races.” –By Steve Sherack