Times have changed in horseracing (not always for the better), longevity, class, and success are becoming rare qualities in the barns and on the track.

This past Saturday the New York Racing Association honored the memory of the famed gelding FOURSTARDAVE, a multiple Graded Stakes Winner who posted Wins in eight straight years at Saratoga Race Course during a 100-race career.

So, it was fitting that for the second year in a row a horse cut in the mold of the races’ namesake captured the Fourstardave Handicap at the Spa.

Sitting chilly in a stalking position coming out of turn two, jockey Luis Saez asked and CASA CREED responded, as he rallied to catch stretch leader ANNAPOLIS and repeated in the $500,000 Grade 1 Fourstardave Handicap.

CASA CREED, a 7-year-old son of JIMMY CREED, raced a mile on turf in 1:34.20, which was the exact time he posted in Winning the same race last year. Talk about Deja vu allover again.

CASA CREED will not match the streak of Winning years that FOURSTARDAVE had at the Spa, but his three-quarters of a length Victory Saturday for trainer Bill Mott cemented the 7-year-old’s reputation as one of the handful of stars who have reached the upper levels of their abilities year in and year out at Saratoga.

CASA CREED was sent off as the 9-5 second choice to runner-up and 6-5 favorite ANNAPOLIS in Saturday’s mile test on the inner turf course.

The Win set-up CASA CREED for a fourth straight appearance at the Breeders’ Cup. Mott said he was uncertain of plans for CASA CREED, except that some rest is in order.

“He’s a good horse, very special,” Mott said about the two-time Winner of the Grade 1 Jaipur Stakes and $2.46 million earner. “How can you ask for anything more? He’s improved with every year he’s raced. He’s as good now as he ever was.”

Congrats to CASA CREED and all his connections.