Casse Maps Out Plans for Sophomore Fillies

Mark Casse has mapped out next-race plans for a trio of his 3-year-old fillies.

Counting Stars (Honor A. P.) and Search Party (Gun Runner), second and fourth in the GIII Honeybee S. Mar. 1, are headed to the $1-million GII Fantasy S. Mar. 27 at Oaklawn. Unbeaten Dixie Belle S. winner French Friction (City of Light), meanwhile, will stretch to two turns for the first time in the $750,000 GI Ashland S. Apr. 3 at Keeneland. Both races are 1 1/16 miles.

“That was definitely one of the bright spots of the weekend,” Casse said of Counting Stars runner-up effort at 11-1. “I’ve kind of always held her in high regard. I thought for a long time that she was an Oaks filly.”

Martha Washington S. winner Search Party was beaten 3 1/2 lengths in the Honeybee.

“Actually, I was OK with Search Party,” Casse said. “You have to remember now that we were at a little bit of a disadvantage. We were coming back in a shorter amount of time. We lost a week, again, with the weather. I didn’t even breeze her back.”