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, according to the Racing Post.

A $950,000 Keeneland September sale yearling Casino Drive won the 2008 Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II) at Belmont Park. After finishing last in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I), he contested that year’s Japan Cup Dirt (Jpn-I), finishing sixth. In 2009 he ran second in the February Stakes (Jpn-I).

Six-year-old Casino Drive, who raced three times this year, was retired with four wins from 11 starts and earnings of $904,575 for owner Hidetoshi Yamamoto.

By Mineshaft, Casino Drive is out of Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Better Than Honour (by Deputy Minister). Another of his half siblings, Irish champion Man of Iron, won the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Marathon.