Victoria Stakes: Casson, Jupiter, Rude Procedure a formidable trio for Casse

TORONTO, July 9, 2025 – Six 2-year-olds, including Mark Casse trainees Casson, Jupiter, and Rude Procedure, will travel 5 ½ furlongs over the Woodbine main track in Saturday’s co-featured $125,000 Victoria Stakes.

Casse, no stranger to success in the Victoria – the dual hall of fame conditioner has won six editions of the race – will have three chances to add that total in this year’s running.

Casson, a son of Caravaggio out of the Lemon Drop Kid mare Zee Ro Drop, turned heads after a flashy debut win on May 11 at Woodbine.

The roan colt, sent on his way as the 3-5 choice, was in charge every step of the way in the 4 ½-furlong main track maiden special weight sprint, crossing the wire four lengths ahead of his closest rival in :52.69.

“It was a very nice win,” said assistant trainer Kathryn Sullivan. “He got into stride very quickly and easily. He wasn’t pressed, so he was able to have things his own way on the front. I’m not sure you ever truly expect that type of effort, but in saying that, we knew he was training well and thought quite highly of him. He ran a very mature race.”

Owned by Manfred and Penny Conrad, Casson posted a series of four-furlong works on the Woodbine main track after his career bow, including a :48.00 breeze on July 3.

“Out of the three we have running, Casson has had the longest time in between races,” noted Sullivan. “We’re very happy with his works. He’s shown a lot of professionalism in the morning, which is something you love to see in young horses. He’s a very straightforward horse and the hope is that he can build from that debut and continue to progress.”

Bred by Ballycroy Training Centre & Villa Rosa Farms, Casson was purchased for $200,000 at the 2024 Keeneland Association September Yearling Sale.

Gareth Daniels is the groom.

Jupiter, owned by D.J. Stable LLC, had a bright career bow on June 22 at Woodbine.

The son of Upstart out of the Karakontie (JPN) mare Magnanimous, sent off at 6-5, held a head advantage at the stretch call in the 5 ½-furlong main track maiden special weight race and then opened up under mild urging to secure a three-length score in 1:04.52.

“It was very impressive to see how he pulled away late,” said Sullivan. “He looked comfortable at every call and when it was time to dig in, he did and went on to a very nice win.”

Bred in Kentucky by David Schwartz, the dark bay colt breezed three furlongs in :36.60 over the Toronto oval’s main track on July 5.

“He’s coming back on a shorter timeline than Casson and Rude Procedure, but he came out of his last race in great shape,” said Sullivan. “He’s all business in the mornings. You can see that he loves to get out there and he does it very willingly.”

Errol Miller is the groom.

Rude Procedure, a son of Authentic out of the Discreetly Mine mare Madison Kat, was also an impressive debut winner.

Bet down to 8-5, the chestnut was left unfettered on the lead and went on to notch a 3 ½-length victory in the five-furlong main track maiden special weight race on June 8. The final time was :58.05.

“It’s somewhat funny that all three of these horses won in somewhat similar fashion,” said Sullivan. “All three of them in the stretch, none of them were under a drive – they all kind of did it on their own. It’s quite nice when they do get in front like that as babies and they continue on. Sometimes, at that age, they can stall when there aren’t any other horses challenging them. I thought they were all very impressive in the way they kept on going down the lane.”

A homebred for Linda B. Roach, Robert Fetkin & Small Batch Thoroughbreds, Rude Procedure posted a pair of four-furlong breezes over the Woodbine main track on June 27 (:47.60) and July 3 (:47.20) ahead of the Victoria.

“Again, it’s the same type of thing we see from Casson and Jupiter,” said Sullivan. “When you take a young horse out in the morning, you aren’t always sure what to expect, but these three are very focused from the moment they step outside of the barn. That carries right into their works, too.”

The similarities between stablemates don’t end there.

“All three of them are great in the paddock, great in post parade, and very mature,” praised Sullivan. “It will be interesting to see them all together in the same race.” ​ ​

Gareth Daniels is the groom.

Spring won the inaugural running of the Victoria in 1903. Mensa, trained by Mark Casse, took top prize in last year’s edition.

First post is 1:05 p.m. The wagering menu for the Victoria includes Rolling Double, Exacta, 0.20 Trifecta, 0.20 Superfecta, 0.20 Pick 3 (Races 3-4-5) and $1 Swinger.

Fans can watch and wager on all the action through HPIbet.com and bet365.com. ​

Field for the $125,000 Victoria Stakes – Race 3

Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer

1 – Valley of Kings – Pietro Moran – Josie Carroll

2 – Rude Procedure – Sahin Civaci – Mark Casse

3 – Jupiter – Patrick Husbands – Mark Casse

4 – Fistfulofmoney (S) – Huber Villa-Gomez – Kevin Rice

5 – Souper Sporty (S) – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Mike De Paulo (cross-entered in My Dear)

6 – Casson – Rafael Hernandez – Mark Casse

Chris Lomon, Woodbine