Bar of Gold has something to prove in Go for Wand

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Trainer John Kimmel hopes Bar of Gold can shed her reputation as a wet-track specialist and finally achieve her first graded stakes victory in Saturday’s Grade 3, $250,000 Go for Wand Handicap going a one-turn mile at Aqueduct.

Bar of Gold has never won on a fast track. She is 5 for 5 over wet surfaces, including an otherworldly 18-length victory in the Empire Distaff Handicap in October at Belmont Park. All five of her victories came in races restricted to New York-breds. Bar of Gold is 0 for 10 in open-company stakes, with a trio of second-place finishes and a third in the Presque Isle Masters two starts back.

“I’ve always thought this was a top-class filly ever since I’ve been around her,” said Kimmel, who trains Bar of Gold for owners and breeders Chester and Mary Broman. “We’ve had some poor trips; we’ve had a couple of instances where I don’t think she ran her ‘A’ race. There’s no doubt she certainly handles an off track, but I think she can handle a fast track as well.”

Kimmel believes Bar of Gold’s good performances in her last two races came as a result of the filly being willing to sit back and make one run. That style has coincided with Joel Rosario working her in the mornings and riding Bar of Gold in her last two starts.

“She’s really starting to learn to settle as she’s gotten older,” Kimmel said. “She’s more willing to accept that.”

Two of Bar of Gold’s rivals Saturday are New York-breds, including Highway Star, who is also owned by the Bromans. Trained by Rodrigo Ubillo, Highway Star is coming off a victory in a division of the New York Stallion Stakes going seven furlongs on Nov. 13

Wonder Gal is the other New York-bred in the field. She, too, is in search of her first graded win, though she is twice Grade 1-placed. She is coming off a 10th-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.

KEY CONTENDERS

Bar of Gold, by Medaglia d’Oro

Last 3 Beyers: 109-83-41

◗ She was simply dominant in winning the Empire Distaff by 18 lengths on Oct. 22.

◗ As the 121-pound highweight, she is spotting 4 to 8 pounds to the rest of the field.

Wonder Gal, by Tiz Wonderful

Last 3 Beyers: 80-83-100

◗ Came off a lengthy layoff with a dominant 11 1/2-length win against New York-breds at Saratoga.

◗ She was run off her feet chasing a hot early pace in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.

◗ Figures to be a forward factor under Kendrick Carmouche.

“I think she’ll comfortably be right there without him having to ask her,” trainer Leah Gyarmati said.

Highway Star, by Girolamo

Last 3 Beyers: 83-83-79

◗ She is 2 for 2 going a one-turn mile.

◗ As the only 3-year-old in the field, she gets in with a feathery 113 pounds under Angel Arroyo.

High Ridge Road, by Quality Road

Last 3 Beyers: 86-91-81

◗ Recorded two open-lengths allowance wins going a one-turn mile at Laurel Park in the spring.

◗ Bled through Lasix when fourth in the Lady’s Secret Stakes at Monmouth on July 4, according to trainer Linda Rice.