TORONTO, October 7 — Wonder Gadot, racing on the Tapeta for the first time while making her third start, made short work of three opponents with a six-length score under jockey Patrick Husbands at Woodbine in Saturday’s Grade 3, $125,000 Mazarine Stakes. The win was a record seventh in the stakes for both trainer Mark Casse and jockey Patrick Husbands. “The two turf races taught her a lot how to relax because anytime you work on the ‘Poly’, we put horses in front about five to 15 lengths and in two jumps she’s past them,” said Husbands. “On the turf, she’s a more relaxed filly, but on the ‘Poly’, she’s the real deal.” Wonder Gadot, sent off at even-money, took the lead shortly after the start and never relinquished it while racing off the rail in the 1-1/16 mile feature for two-year-old fillies. Maintaining control through a quarter-mile in :24.87, a half-mile in :49.86, and six furlongs in 1:13.93, Wonder Gadot entertained a bid from stablemate Shamrock Rose around the final turn but delivered the knockout punch in the final furlong while drawing off. The Ontario-bred was clocked in 1:37.85 for the mile and finished in 1:44.14. Shamrock Rose, also trained by Casse, had captured the six-furlong Ontario Debutante in her only start and ran well in defeat while holding second money by 1-1/4 lengths at odds of 1.55-1. Ladies Night, the longest short on the board at 16.80-1, closed in the stretch for third money, 1-1/2 lengths before trailer Avie’s Mineshaft. Sent off at odds of 2.85-1, Avie’s Mineshaft stayed within striking range until the final turn but then flattened out. Oldfashioned Style was a late scratch and only win and exactor wagering was offered. Wonder Gadot, bred by Anderson Farms Ont Inc. and owned by Gary Barber, had been an impressive winner when debuting in the allowance prep for the Natalma Stakes over seven furlongs of turf before beaten just three-quarters of a length as the third-place finisher in the main event. The one-mile Natalma was a Grade 1 “Win and You’re In” race for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and the winner, Capla Temptress, is on target for an appearance there. “She’s beautiful, she’s really nicely built,” said assistant trainer Kathryn Sullivan. “For a two-year-old filly, she’s solid and has some substance. She’s just really impressive.” Wonder Gadot returned $4.20 and keyed a 3-1 exacta with Shamrock Rose worth $7. Share This:Share
