Lee Einsidler thought this would be a melancholy time for him.
Watching the Fourstardave Handicap (G1T) this weekend at Saratoga Race Course figured to be emotional and ignite a bevy of memories.
But instead, he says he's feeling quite happy.
"I am looking forward to it," he said.
Einsidler was the co-owner of Casa Creed along with sports talk radio icon Mike Francesa and for 36 races spread over seven seasons of racing, the son of Jimmy Creed gave them some unforgettable moments.
Such as winning the Fourstardave the last two years for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, capturing four Saratoga graded stakes, and earning acclaim as "The Mayor of Saratoga" for running at the Spa in seven straight years and winning five times.
"He loved Saratoga and the fans loved him," Einsidler said about the 8-year-old
But ankle issues ended Casa Creed's career after a fourth in the June 8 Poker Stakes (G3T) at Saratoga, bringing the curtain down on a career that started at the Spa back in 2018.
Yet what will bring a smile to Einsidler's face this week is knowing his beloved horse has a new and comfortable life as a stallion at Mill Ridge Farm in Kentucky, where he will enter stud next year.
"I'm feeling great about it because of the new home he has and the new career he will have. Going into the Fourstardave, knowing that he is in at a great farm with great people and a close friend of mine in Headley Bell (managing partner of Mill Ridge), I feel much better about it than I thought I would," Einsidler said. "Mike and I feel a lot of joy, pride, and gratification."
In his career, Casa Creed raced 36 times, including four starts in Saudi Arabia and Dubai, and the four-time grade 1 winner was victorious nine times with five seconds and six thirds while earning $2,691,308.
"He loved being a racehorse and Bill did such a great job of training him through all of those years. Casa Creed perked up during training and when he came into the paddock. You could see that he loved it," said Einsidler, the CEO of the Casamigos tequila brand, "He did it on the biggest circuits, on the biggest days, in the most important races. He won the Jaipur two years in a row on Belmont Stakes Day (in 2021-22)."
Last year at 7, the durable runner enjoyed his best year, winning the Fourstardave for a second straight year and finishing third in the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T), his best finish in four starts at the World Championships. He earned nearly $900,000.
"You could think about him every day because he was so sound. With some horses you worry every time the trainer calls. He was so sound and that's so unusual. It never crossed my mind that something would be wrong with him. Every day you could think about his next race, which is amazing. After last year's win in the Fourstardave, we could make plans to go to the Breeders' Cup knowing he'll be there. It's remarkable to be able to do that," Einsidler said.
While the Fourstardave will be contested Aug. 11 for the first time without Casa Creed since 2019, it is fair to wonder if next year other horses will be running in the first edition of the Casa Creed Stakes at the namesake's beloved Saratoga.
"To have a race named after Casa Creed would be extra special," Einsidler said. "A lot of people have mentioned it to me. If it's to be, it's to be. I won't campaign for it."
