Walter Case Jr. at Plainridge

[JENNY FROM THE BLOCK]

would still need live drives.  just depends on who gets the livest drives.

[tiny tequila]

I don't believe he will be a factor. Still has his demons. Can't or won't shake it. No driver's license and will require others to take him back and forth. The judges at Plainridge are relentless. They will watch him like a "hawk". I personally like him and wish him well, but I think he is better off driving the Maine circuit while the others are in Mass. Especially when the fair and stakes races begin. We shall see......

[rainman2]

As someone who watches him here in Maine, I think Walter will head south (about 2 hours) and find it will be tougher there. He will get his share of winners and make more money. A lot more. Purses here in Maine are a lot less that at Plainridge. As for his driving skills, I think that he still pretty good in the sulky. A lot of "young guns" will get a chance to see a legend of our sport. I'm not sure that anyone was better when Casey was at his best. I wish him luck.

How much does Walter currently weigh now?

I was told by a respected horseman that even Brett will lose a few close races of his weight. From my understanding, Brett is checking in at about 180.

Can someone please confirm this for us on horseplop.

[Locked in with pace]

160

[Scooteroo]

Some drivers listed weights haven't changed in 30 years or more, but the majority are much heavier. Case's weight had been listed at 135 but he's much heavier than that now.

[SeattleSlew]

Walter drove several of my trotters at both the Meadowlands and Yonkers in the 1980's.  I didn't get to know him very well, as I spent just some 10 minute periods with him in the drivers' lounge at Yonkers, but he was definitely a GREAT driver at that time and always gave my horses top drives.  While he did have a difficult time keeping his feet anchored, he really could talk to the horses!  He, John Campbell, Ron Waples and Benny Webster gave my trotters their best drives over a period of 25 years. 

[rainman2]

Are there ‘trainers’ or “chemists” at plainridge?

I understand owners/trainers are “locked” into certain drivers, but there are many others who aren’t.

From what is said about Maine, if you turn down certain drives, those people might not get a 2nd chance to drive for them again.

Thoughts and input please.

[rainman2]

As listed on USTA

Tentative starts Monday 4-14-25 = 0

Tentative starts Tuesday 4-15-25 = 0

 

[JL52]

Once he starts driving, let’s set an over/under line on how many kicking infractions he gets per week.

[Mbdreamer]

He moved up the ladder last year racing in Maine.  Got some decent horses late in the season and handled them well.  With the hot youngsters at Prc,  it will never be the same for Casey, alas.

[wizardofoz]

It's official kids! Case's first drive in another state outside of Maine and hopefully the start of regular drives there!           
RACE 6 - Plainridge Park - MA - April 17, 2025
Conditions: 4 YEARS AND OLDER TRACKMASTER RATING OF 79 OR LESS (NW L2 79.5 - NW L4 80) NON STARTERS IN 2025 ALLOWED 3 POINTS
Gait: Trot Purse: 12,000 Class: TRK<79Distance: 1 Mile Post Time: 5:40 PM
 
PP    Horse   Med   2025 North America YTD    Driver    Trainer   ML   Claim
    Equip   Sts    W    P    S    Time    Earnings         Stable   Odds   Price
1    Empereurthebest Fr   L    -     -     -     -     -     -     Walter Case Jr    James Dunn       
2    Blue Eyed Babe   †    3     0     1     1     Q2:00.0H     $3990     Mark Whitcroft    Megan Reynolds       
3    Moms Cash   †    -     -     -     -     -     -     Wallace Watson    Lisa Watson       
4    Tobasco   L†    -     -     -     -     -     -     W. Drew Campbell
 Joseph Di Stefano    John Di Stefano       
5    Pappy Go Go   L†    3     1     1     0     Q2:00.1H     $7250     Brett Beckwith    Jesse Mcassey       
6    Notoutofthewoods   L    5     0     2     0     -     $3300     Mark Whitcroft    Cheryl Whitcroft       
7    Just Roxy   L†    -     -     -     -     -     -     Kevin Switzer Jr
 Matthew Athearn    Gretchen Athearn       
8    Massive Lightning   L    -     -     -     -     -     -     Nicholas Graffam
 Brett Beckwith    Michael Graffam       
[9    Emmajean Jellybean       -     -     -     -     -     -     Steven Wilson    Charlene Cushing        

[wizardofoz]

RACE 2 - Cumberland Raceway - ME - April 11, 2025
Conditions: QUALIFIER
Gait: Both Purse: 0 Class: QUA T/P Distance: 1 mile Track Cond: FT Temp-Allow: 45-0
HN    Horse    PP    1/4    1/2    3/4    Str    Finish   Actual   LQ   Odds    Driver    Trainer
4    P L Pasquale    4    4/5    4°/4H    2°/1    2/HD    1/NK   1:59.4    29.1   NB     Kevin Switzer Jr    Neal Grass
3    Sailor Jerry    3    1/1T    1/1T    1/1    1/HD    2/NK   1:59.4    29.2   NB     Nicholas Graffam    Michael Graffam
1    Cash Crazy Express    1    2/1T    2/1T    3/2    3/1H    3/3Q   2:00.2    29.3   NB     W. Drew Campbell    Mark Harris
2    Rockin` Cougar    2    3/3Q    3/3H    4/3H    4/2H    4/3H   2:00.2    29.2   NB     Aaron Hall    Bethany Graffam
5    Motto    5    5/7Q    6/7H    6/5T    5/6H    5/8Q   2:01.2    29.4   NB     Mcgwire Sowers    Mark Harris
7    Empereurthebest Fr    7    6/8T    7°/8T    7/7Q    7/8T    6/9T   2:01.4    30.0   NB     Walter Case Jr    James Dunn
6    Big Al M    6    X7/10T    5°/6H    5°/5H    6/7T    7/12   2:02.1    30.4   NB     David Ingraham    Zach Vickerson
Time:    29.3   1:01.1    (31.3)   1:30.2    (29.1)   1:59.4    (29.2)   

[Muyway]

No ranger at plainridge?

[tiny tequila]

Bruce has days (7) from a whipping violation from the finale day last year at Plainridge. Will be there by the end of the month.

[SPREE2015]

UNFORTUNATELY WALTER CASE HAS DIMINISHED SKILLS LIKE TONY MORGAN !!!! THE TOP DRIVERS GET THE TOP HORSES . MAYBE IF HE GETS A FEW LONGSHOTS HOME HECWILL GET FASTER HORSES TO DRIVE .
WISH HIM WELL AT MAKING A LIVING