Casse May Have Another Distaff Star in Pierette

Trainer Mark Casse has both the top older filly or mare and the leading 3-year-old filly in his barn in Nitrogen and Counting Stars. He just might have the premier 2-year-old filly as well. More will be known about that Aug. 2 when Casse sends out Tracy Farmer's unbeaten Pierette in the $225,000 Adirondack Stakes (G3), a 6 1/2-furlong sprint for juvenile fillies at Saratoga Race Course. The daughter of Girvin arrives at the Spa off a pair of wins at Churchill Downs. A 1 3/4-length maiden winner in her May 15 debut, she returned June 28 with a 1 1/2-length victory in the Debutante Stakes at 6 furlongs. "I think she's doing super. She's come up here and loves Saratoga. She is a big, tall filly, probably about 16.2 hands and has a lot of growing to do. But she seems to have a bright future," Casse said. "(In the Debutante), she was down inside and had to settle, which was nice that she was able to do that. When she got outside, she came running. She looks like she wants more ground." Bred by Bret Jones in Kentucky out of the Pulpit mare Praising, Pierette was bought for $475,000 at the 2025 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. The Adirondack drew a field of nine, including Luminous Beauty, who was second to Pierette in the career debut for both fillies. The daughter of Flameaway owned by horseOlogy Racing, Fred Rosen, Steve Dervenis, and Cliff Racing then recorded a 6 1/4-length June 4 maiden win for trainer Jena Antonucci at the Spa. But after that the $40,000 buy at the Fasig-Tipton's The July Sale was fifth by a little more than 30 lengths a month later as an even-money favorite in Saratoga's Schuylerville Stakes. Leland Ackerley Racing, James Sherwood, Jode Shupe, and John Cilia's Washton exits a nose win in her lone start, an off-the-turf, 5-furlong maiden race in the slop at Churchill Downs. "That was very hardy," said Steve Asmussen, the sport's all-time winningest trainer and four-time Adirondack winner. "There was quite a bit of interference in the stretch, but she continued on and proved narrowly best that day. I think there will be a good step forward with her." She was bought for $135,000 at the Ocala Breeders' Sales March 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale. The Texas-bred Caroline's Girl makes her first start since she was purchased by WSS Racing, BAG Racing Stables, and Rufus White from original owner Blick Stables, which retained a share of the Maximus Mischief filly. An 8 1/4-length winner of her debut in a state-bred maiden race at Lone Star Park for trainer George Bryant, she is now trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., who won the 2024 Adirondack with The Queens M G. "She was very impressive visually winning that race," Joseph said. "The reality is that this is going to be a class check, but she seems decent. She is going from Texas-breds to open company, but if she can duplicate that kind of performance, she'll be competitive." Sunday's card also includes two rescheduled stakes: the Curlin Stakes for 3-year-olds and Glens Falls Stakes (G2T), a turf stakes for fillies and mares.