Florida-bred Mensa Part of Strong Casse Entry in Victoria – FTBOA

BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Florida-bred Mensa looks to rebound from an off the board finish last out in the $247,000 Kentucky Juvenile when he faces five rivals, including strong stablemate Into Diamonds, in the CA$125,000 Victoria at Woodbine Sunday. Trained by Mark Casse for the five-and-a-half-furlong contest on the synthetic main track, Mensa is the 5-2 second choice in the program behind favored Into Diamonds at 2-1.

Mensa was purchased by current owner Resolute Racing for $740,000 out of the Fasig-Tipton Digital Sale on April 29 after he won a four-and-a-half-furlong maiden special weight by three lengths at Gulfstream Park in his career debut on April 12.

He was unable to repeat his debut effort in his next start for the new owners however, fading to sixth after setting the pace in the five-furlong Kentucky Juvenile won by West Memorial at Churchill Downs on May 2.

Mensa is out of Lady Halite, by Medaglia d’Oro and was bred in Florida by Beth Bayer. Bayer sold him for $135,000 to D.J. Stable through her consignment at the 2021 Ocala Breeders’ Sales October Yearling Sale. A half-brother to multiple stakes-winning Florida-bred Recruiter and stakes-placed Florida-bred Miss Sayley, Mensa currently has earnings of $47,000 in his two starts.

Mensa will be ridden by Patrick Husbands from post two.

Into Diamonds enters the Victoria after winning a five-and-a-half-furlong maiden special weight by a neck on the Keeneland turf on April 25.

The son of Into Mischief out of Diamond Sparkles, by War Front is owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Gary Barber, for who he earned $45,260 in his lone start.

Sahin Civaci will ride Into Diamonds from post six.

Another who comes into the Victoria off a maiden special weight victory in his debut is Your Valentino for trainer Alex McPherson.

The chestnut son of Tapiture has the benefit of his victory coming over the Woodbine synthetic, having won by a head after five furlongs on May 31.

Your Valentino is owned by Katie E. O’Connor and will be ridden from post five by Daisuke Fukumoto. They are 7-2 on the morning line.

Rounding out the field are Sol de Verano with jockey Fraser Aebly, Shadow Factor and rider Emma-Jayne Wilson and Ryan Munger will pilot Empower.

Florida-breds have won the Victoria 16 times starting with Bright Object in 1964 and Ring Francis in 1966, both bred by Ocala Stud Farms Inc. Big Drink of Water was the most recent Florida-bred winner of the Victoria in 2018 preceded by Conquest Whiplash (2013), Madam Diaries (2010), Olredlgetcha (2009), Southern Exchange (2008), Flamenco (2004), El Ruller (2002), Expected Ruler (2001), Erlton (1998), Torgan (1997), Gomtuu (1995), Dances With Fire (1992), Honey’s Answer (1984) and Solo Guy (1980).