Daniel A. Cassella

Born: Aug. 13, 1946 in New Castle, Pa.
Residence: Las Vegas, Nev.
Family: wife Sallie; children Christina (35), Frank (30) and Joanna (26)
Education: Bachelor of science degree in accounting from Penn State
Professional Background:
Retired from the casino industry after 20 years. Was executive vice president of Caesar’s Palace and the Mirage, president and CEO of Desert Inn and Stratosphere
Racing Background:
Originally entered horse racing as a partner with fellow casino executive J. Terrence Lanni, owning small shares in several horses, usually 10-15 percent of three or four horses. Met Fred Carrillo in the early 1980s as a result of these partnerships, and they have since become good friends. Bill Spawr has been his only trainer
Breeding/Racing Operation:
Spawr bought Miss Excitement, dam of Bordonaro, privately for Cassella, Carrillo, and a third partner after she was a $5,000 RNA at the 1993 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky September yearling sale. After her racing career, during which she won $103,825 while racing in allowance and claiming company, the two men bought out the third partner and bred her to Memo … The mare produced the winning filly Memogram before foaling Bordonaro, which is Sallie Cassella’s maiden name. “That’s the worst thing I’ve ever done,” Cassella joked. “Now he’s like the family pet, and I’ll never be able to sell him.” A cousin, Joe Bordonaro, also enjoys attending the races to see the family namesake run … In addition to Miss Excitement and Bordonaro, the partners own Furioso Star, a gelded 4-year-old and Fedrico, a 3-year-old, both full brothers to Bordonaro; Kulinski Rose, a 2-year-old half-sister by Mud Route; and a yearling half-brother by Siberian Summer … Miss Excitement is in foal to Empire Maker ... Bordonaro was their first Breeders’ Cup starter when he finished fourth in the 2006 Sprint. He returned in the 2007 Sprint, finishing sixth.