Japanese Horses Have Made Belmont Impact
Lani will become the latest Belmont Stakes (gr. I) runner with ties to Japan after Sunday Break ran third in 2002 and Casino Drive loomed large before scratching in 2008.
Casino Drive
- Chestnut Colt
- Born 2005
Rick Samuels
Belmont Park Morning Works
Adam Coglianese/NYRA
Casino Drive, Better Than Honour's 2005 colt won the 2008 Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II) and earned $904,575 in his career.
Order Photo
Benoit
Casino Drives wins at Oak Tree on Oct. 12, 2008.
Rick Samuels
Rick Samuels
Casino Drive at Belmont Park
Rick Samuels
Casino Drive training prior to the June 7 Belmont Stakes (gr. I)
Rick Samuels
Rick Samuels
Casino Drive leads his stablemates to the track at Belmont Park.
Rick Samuels
Anne M. Eberhardt
Coglianese Photos
Casino Drive wins the Peter Pan (gr. II) in his Belmont Stakes (gr. I).
Anne M. Eberhardt
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- Profile
Grade I Winner Streaming Retired
Streaming, whose two victories in as many starts as a 2-year-old included the Hollywood Starlet Stakes (gr. I), has been retired due to a hind limb injury.
Casino Drive to Stand in Japan
Casino Drive, a half brother to Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winners Jazil and Rags to Riches, has been retired from racing for stallion duty at Shadai Stallion Station in Japan.
Discreetly Mine: Enigma of Aptitude, Pedigree
PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
His pedigree shouts stamina but Discreetly Mine--winner Aug. 28 of the grade I King's Bishop Stakes--seems intent on proving himself as a top sprinter.
McLaughlin Not Worried About Distance
As a steady rain fell on Nad Al Sheba on Thursday morning, March 26, Dubai World Cup favorite Albertus Maximus continued to display bold eagerness, pulling on exercise rider Rob Massey as he galloped strongly around the track under the watchful eyes of trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.
Albertus Maximus Gallops at Nad Al Sheba
Standing at the backstretch rail the morning of March 24 at Nad al Sheba in Dubai, assistant trainer Trish McLaughlin watched Albertus Maximus virtually soar past her while pulling against exercise rider Rob Massey in an impressive show of contained strength and speed.
Success Brocken Surprises Casino Drive
The torch was passed from dirt champions Kane Hekili and Vermilion when Success Brocken edged Casino Drive by a neck in record time while winning the $2.2 million February Stakes (Jpn-I) before 70,000 at Tokyo Race Course Feb. 22.
Kane Hekili Captures Japan Cup Dirt
Kane Hekili beat back the late charges of favored Vermilion and Meisho Tokon to win the $3 million Japan Cup Dirt (Jpn-I) by a head in the first running of the event at Hanshin Racecourse Dec. 7. American hopes Frost Giant and Tin Cup Chalice finished 12th and 13th, respectively.
Casino Drive Returns to Japan Next Week
Casino Drive, the previously unbeaten Japanese 3-year-old colt who finished last after setting the early pace in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) at Santa Anita Oct. 25, will be flown back to Japan, said racing manager Nobutaka Tada from Hollywood Park Nov. 2.
Favorite Curlin Draws Post 9 in Classic
Curlin, the heavy favorite at 7-5 in the Breeders' Cup Classic, drew post nine against 11 other rivals. The race will be run Oct. 25.
HRTV: Pursuit of the Cup Oct 17 (Video)
HRTV's weekly series analyzing each division of the Breeders' Cup. This week's episode looks at the pre-entries.
Unique Breeders' Cup Attracts 180 Horses
In what promises to be a unique edition of the Breeders' Cup, a total of 210 pre-entries were announced Oct. 16, with 180 horses pre-entered for the 14 races, to be run at Santa Anita on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 24-25.
Classic: Step Right Up
Although the Breeders' Cup dirt races will have some element of the unknown due to the Pro-Ride surface at Santa Anita, the unchartered waters of the $5-million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) will be the deepest of all.
Cup Countdown: No Ordinary Horse
This headline was originally written about Casino Drive, who will be discussed later. But Big Brown's retirement obviously takes precedence.
Casino Drive on Course for Classic
Casino Drive came out of his three-quarter length victory at Santa Anita Oct. 12 in good order and is on course for the $5-million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) Oct. 25.
Casino Drive Cruises in BC Classic Prep
Casino Drive, the Japan-based half-brother to two Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winners, cruised to an easy victory in a Santa Anita allowance race Oct. 12 to prepare for the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I).
Casino Drive to Prep Sunday for Classic
Undefeated Casino Drive has been entered to run at Santa Anita on Oct. 12 in what his connections hope will lead to a start in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I).
Casino Drive Set to Return for BC
Undefeated Casino Drive, impressive winner of the Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II) in only his second career start, is scheduled to return to the United States in mid-September to begin his preparation for the Breeders' Cup Classic Oct. 25, according to a spokesman for the Japan Racing Association.
Casino Drive's Journey to Cup Begins
Casino Drive, the Japanese-trained colt whose bruised foot prevented him from trying to follow in the hoofprints of his two Belmont Stakes (gr. I)-winning siblings, has entered quarantine in Japan as the first step to returning to the United States.
Casino Drive Owner Gives to Anna House
Nobutaka Tada, managing director of the Japan-based stable that campaigns grade II stakes winner Casino Drive, announced June 24 that stable owner Hidetoshi Yamamoto has donated $30,000 to the Belmont Child Care Association's Anna House.
Casino Drive to Return for BC Classic
Casino Drive's quest to become the third straight Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner produced by his dam Better Than Honour failed when the colt suffered a stone bruise two days before the race. But this isn't the last we'll see of the son of Mineshaft, who will now point for the Breeders' Cup Classic(gr. I), with a prep beforehand.
Casino Drive Scratched From Belmont
Casino Drive, the second choice in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I), was scratched Saturday morning after re-aggravating his left hind heel because of a stone bruise.
Injured Casino Drive Out of Belmont
- By Ron Mitchell
About an hour after giving the all-clear for Casino Drive to run in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I), trainer Kazuo Fujisawa said the colt was favoring his left rear hoof and was scratched from the classic.
Casino Drive In...For Now
As of early Friday evening, Casino Drive remains in the 10-horse field for Saturday's Belmont Stakes.
Stone Bruises Common in Thoroughbreds
Sometimes lameness can be brought on by a complex and serious cascade of events such as with laminitis, but at other times the lameness is the result of something that seems minor â€" like a stone bruise. This rather innocuous injury can have its own complexity and, if left untreated, can result in a horse's demise.
Status of Casino Drive in Doubt
Casino Drive, the second choice in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I), did not go to the track Friday because of a problem with his left hind foot. His connections believe it might be a minor stone bruise. He has not been scratched from the race, in which Big Brown will attempt to become racing's 12th Triple Crown winner.
Belmont Doings: Casino Works
For the third time in about a week Casino Drive had one of those non-published works that everyone has come to expect. The first time was by himself, the second with two workmates, and today's with one workmate. But this time it was different, as his jockey Edgar Prado was aboard for the first time.
Final Workout for Casino Drive
After being delayed by one day due to inclement weather and track conditions, Casino Drive's final preparations for the June 7 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) were completed Thursday when the son of Mineshaft worked at Belmont Park.
Belmont Doings: The Big Brown
Rick Dutrow wanted the outside post in Saturday's Belmont Stakes (gr. I). He didn't get it. Instead, he got the inside post for Big Brown, which does come with a certain risk of getting trapped, but the rail is far better than the 10, where the risks can be greater.
Big Brown Draws the Rail in the Belmont
Triple Crown contender Big Brown was installed the 2-5 morning line favorite and drew the rail in the June 7 Belmont Stakes (gr. I).
NYRA Pegs Belmont Stakes Field at Nine
The New York Racing Association said June 2 a field of nine is probable for the June 7 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), third leg of the Triple Crown.
Belmont Doings: Born for the Belmont
Can a son of Boundary win the Belmont Stakes (gr. I)? Many people had their doubts that a Boundary could win at 1 1/4 miles, but Big Brown keeps defying the odds and eliminating one question mark after another.
On Schedule With Casino Drive
Casino Drive, the son of Mineshaft who is expected to provide some of the stiffest competition to Big Brown in the June 7 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), follows a daily routine that raises eyebrows on the backstretch of Belmont Park but is consistent with how he is trained in Japan.
Belmont Notes: June 1
Ready's Echo and Tale of Ekati are headed to the Belmont Stakes, while Tomcito and Spark Candle are out.
Belmont Profile: Ready's Echo
There are plenty of reasons for Ready's Echo to not prove contentious in the June 7 Belmont Stakes (gr. I). But a stunning late run to third in the May 10 Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II) demands respect for the maiden winner.
Dutrow: 'It's a Foregone Conclusion'
In a national media teleconference conducted May 28, trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. continued his boastful and outspoken comments regarding potential Triple Crown winner Big Brown, saying among other things that winning the June 7 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) was a "foregone conclusion," the contenders "just can't run with Big Brown," and "there was no way in the world" that Japanese-owned Casino Drive could defeat his horse.
Ready's Echo to Start in Belmont
The field for the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) could increase by one after trainer Todd Pletcher said it is "probably" that Let's Go Stable's Ready's Echo would be tossed into the mix of starters for the 1 1/2-mile race June 7 at Belmont Park.
Belmont Notes: Big Brown Right On Target
Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner Big Brown remains "right on target" for the $1-million Belmont Stakes (gr. I), in which he will attempt to become racing's 12th Triple Crown winner and the first in 30 years.
Prado to Ride Casino Drive in Belmont
Although top jockeys from across the country were clamoring for a chance to ride Casino Drive in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I), one rider's prior experience at shooting down Triple Crown contenders made him the perfect man for the job. On May 28, it was announced that Edgar Prado would become the colt's pilot, adding more intrigue to the highly-anticipated June 7 event.
Casino Drive Works -- Or Does He?
Belmont Stakes (gr. I) contender Casino Drive went to the track for a scheduled work Wednesday, May 28, but in the end it was decided by the clockers that the time was too slow to be published as an official workout.
Casino Drive 50-50 for Wednesday Breeze
Nobutaka Tada, spokesperson for the connections of Casino Drive, said the Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II) winner was "50-50" to breeze on Wednesday in preparation for the June 7 Belmont Stakes (gr. I).
Belmont Notes: May 26
As of May 26, New York Racing Association Stakes Coordination Andrew Byrnes expects the Belmont Stakes field to be: Big Brown, Anak Nakal, Casino Drive, Denis of Cork, Icabad Crane, Macho Again, Tale of Ekati, and Tomcito.
No Rider Named Yet for Casino Drive
Nobutaka Tada, racing manager for owner Hidetoshi Yamamoto, said consideration has been given to Japanese, European, and American riders, but no decision will be made for "four or five days," on who will ride Casino Drive in the June 7 Belmont Stakes (gr.I).
Challengers Ready for Big Brown
With the chance for a Triple Crown on the line, the field for the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) June 7 at Belmont Park is beginning to take shape. In addition to Crown hopeful Big Brown, six rivals are gearing up at their chance to stop him.
Casino Drive Waits for Belmont
Casino Drive came out of his victory in the Peter Pan (gr. II) May 10 at Belmont Park as effortlessly and professionally as raced in his United States debut. Now, he is ready to tackle the 1 1/2-mile Belmont Stakes (gr. I) June 7.
Casino Drive Spectacular in Peter Pan
On May 10 at Belmont Park, North America got its first look at the colt who could have the best chance at spoiling Big Brown's entry into racing immortality, as Japanese invader Casino Drive blew away eight challengers to win the $200,000 Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II) in sensational fashion.
Tomcito Hopes For Better in Peter Pan
Jet Set Racing's Tomcito, one of four horses that did not make the cut in last week's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), will be looking to make a splash in the June 7 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) instead. To do that, the son of Street Cry will take the traditional route, entering in the $200,000 Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II) May 10, a 1 1/8-mile contest that serves as the local prep for third leg of the Triple Crown.
Japan-Based Horses Settle in at Belmont
After a 12-hour trans-Pacific journey, including a one-hour lay-over in Anchorage, Alaska, and a brief stint at Aqueduct to clear quarantine, three Japan-based horses -- Casino Driver, Champagne Squall, and Spark Candle -- have begun to settle in at Barn 17 at Belmont Park.
Belmont Park Set for 59-Day Meet
Belmont Park ushers in its 59-day spring/summer meet April 30, on the heels of a tumultuous winter for the New York Racing Association.
Japanese Colts Set to Arrive at Belmont
Two regally bred Japanese colts, Casino Drive and Spark Candle, are due to arrive at Belmont Park April 30, with at least one of them pointing for the 140th Belmont Stakes (gr. I) June 7.
Connections
| Trainer | Kazuo Fujisawa |
|---|---|
| Jockey | Victor Espinoza |
| Owner | Yamamoto, Hidetoshi |
| Breeder | Shell Bloodstock |
Pedigree
| Casino Drive View Five-Cross Pedigree | Mineshaft | A.P. Indy |
| Prospectors Delite | ||
| Better Than Honour | Deputy Minister | |
| Blush With Pride |
Auction History
| Sale / Hip | Type | Buyer | Consignor | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KEESEP2006 Hip 158 |
Yearling | Nobutaka Tada | Denali Stud, agent for Mark Dedomenico | $950,000 |
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