Helium
Trainer: Mark Casse
Owner: D J Stable LLC
Breeder: Teneri Farm Inc. & Bernardo Alvarez Calderdon
Jockey: Julien Leparoux
Sire: Ironicus
Dam: Thundering Emilia by Thunder Gulch
Trained by Mark Casse, the 3-year-old son of Ironicus is undefeated in three career starts, including two over the synthetic main track at Woodbine Racecourse last year. Helium provided a 15-1 upset in the Tampa Bay Derby, his first start of 2021. Out of the Thunder Gulch mare Thundering Emilia, Helium was a $55,000 purchase.
Running Style: Midpack
“What was amazing is that he wasn't overly exhausted after the race,” Casse said after mentioning the adversity he overcame to win. “He’s a beautiful horse, he’s bred to run all day long and he looks like a Derby horse, so it’s exciting.” Mark Casse is 0 for 8 in the Kentucky Derby with a career best 4th with Classic Empire in 2017.