Saratoga’s Travers Stakes (G1) has picked up an exciting new probable as trainer Mark Casse announced that Queen’s Plate and Prince of Wales Stakes romper WONDER GADOT is likely to take on the boys for a third straight time in the $1.25 million Mid-Summer Derby on August 25.
“In horse racing, nothing is ever 100 percent,” Casse said. “But I would tell you I’d bet it’s about 90 percent (to run Wonder Gadot in the Travers). We’ve talked about it. (Owner) Gary (Barber) always thinks out of the box, and a lot of it makes sense.
“One, if you look for the most part, I guess some of them did run a mile and a quarter in the Derby, but she’s already got a mile and a quarter under her. She’s got a mile and three sixteenths under her, and she gets five pounds. It’s a big deal going a mile and a quarter.
“I can tell you this, when they go over to the paddock on Travers Day, she may be the biggest horse in the race. She doesn’t look like a filly. She’s a big, stout mare.”
Wonder Gadot broke a case of seconditis that included a half-length runner-up in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) and a tough nose beat in the Woodbine Oaks with a romping 4 3/4-length victory in the Queen’s Plate against the boys on June 30 at Woodbine.
That 1 1/4-mile contest is the first jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown and was followed July 24 by the second jewel, the 1 3/16-mile Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie, in which Wonder Gadot posted a 5 3/4-length triumph.
The Breeders’ Stakes on August 18 going 1 1/2 miles over Woodbine’s turf course completes the Canadian Triple Crown, but Casse indicated after the Prince of Wales that Wonder Gadot would skip the final jewel in favor of the Alabama Stakes (G1) at Saratoga on the same day.
This new development could see Wonder Gadot become the first filly to take on the Travers since Davona Dale in 1979. If she runs, and wins, the Medaglia d’Oro sophomore would be just the eighth filly to triumph in the Travers since its inaugural running in 1864.
“Anybody that knows me, knows that I love horse racing and that it’s my entire life, and any time we can get excitement, it’s good for horse racing,” Casse said. “I think anything that gets people’s attention is good for Saratoga and it’s good for the Travers. We just have to keep our fingers crossed and hope everything stays well. I think it spices it up a little because it’s going to be males against a female. I’m sure she’s going to have the ladies on her side.
“I think if you look at the numbers and everything, she’s probably got as good a shot as anyone; again, we’re going to have five pounds.
“The question is whether or not we’re going to have (regular rider) Johnny (Velazquez). We threw this curveball at Johnny, and obviously they have the horse that ran third yesterday (Vino Rosso) in the Jim Dandy (Stakes [G2]). We haven’t talked to him about it. I know that will be tough. He rides so much for (trainer) Todd (Pletcher), it may not even be about who he thinks is best, but where his loyalty lies.”
Casse announced the Wonder Gadot’s likely Travers participation after another trainee, FLAMEAWAY, finished second by three parts of a length in the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2). The chestnut son of Scat Daddy exited the nine-furlong contest in good order and a decision on the John Oxley colorbearer’s next start, whether it be the Travers or something else, is pending.
“I never ever, ever base my decisions on what some other horse is doing unless it’s owned by the same owner,” Casse stated. “We may choose to go different paths but that will be up to Mr. Oxley. He’ll ask my opinion and I’ll tell him, but he’ll ultimately make the final decision.
“A lot of people don’t know, but Flameaway was supposed to go to the Prince of Wales. He’s a Canadian-bred as well, but Mr. Oxley said, ‘I don’t want to run against Wonder Gadot.’ He’s seen her in action many times. I don’t know. There’s only one Travers, so we may give it a try.”
Pletcher said Sunday morning that VINO ROSSO came out of his Jim Dandy third-place finish in good order and is on target for the Travers.
“He came out of it well,” Pletcher said. “He didn’t get quite as involved early on as we’d hoped, and he kind of regained his position going into the far turn and lost a little bit of that position. He was closing well at the end, we just need to keep him motivated in the turn a little better but overall, we were pleased with his effort.
“Hopefully, he’ll come back and train well for the Travers.”
