Nicholas Tomlinson 1st training win. (Ryan Thompson)
Insolenta Wins by 10-Plus Lengths for Longtime Casse Assistant
David Joseph/Gulfstream Park
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Nick Tomlinson, a former assistant to Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse, saddled Insolenta for a 10 ¼-length victory Friday at Gulfstream Park to notch his first win since going out on his own.
Insolenta ($5.40), a 4-year-old daughter of More Than Rady who finished second in her prior race as Tomlinson’s first starter, was claimed out of Race 4, a $12,500 maiden claimer.
“It’s a little bittersweet. She got claimed. You never want to lose them, but I’m glad to get the win,” said the 31-year-old Toronto native, who worked 10 years in South Florida for Casse.
Tomlinson, whose father worked at Woodbine, began working on the backside there at the age of 13 for trainer Peter Berringer weekends and summers. (“Sometimes I’d skip school, but my dad doesn’t know that.”)
“I went on to work for Malcolm and Sally Pierce, who really gave me my start. They allowed me to be a traveling assistant and then I went to work for Mark the last 10 years,” Tomlinson said. “It’s been a great ride.”
Tomlinson is down to one horse after losing Insolenta via the claiming box.
“But we’re looking to get active during the Championship Meet. I’ve had some owners reach out who’ve had interest in claiming this winter. It might be a little slow at first,” said Tomlinson, who will based at Palm Meadows, Gulfstream’s satellite training facility in Palm Beach County.
