Casse high on Wonder Gadot ahead of Natalma Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Wonder Gadot will look to build off an impressive debut win in Sunday’s Grade 1, $250,000 Natalma Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at a mile on turf at Woodbine.

Wonder Gadot was a four-length winner of her career debut in the allowance prep for the Natalma, going seven furlongs on turf Aug. 26. Trainer Mark Casse said Wonder Gadot lived up to expectations.

“We think she’s something special,” he said. “We were expecting a big effort out of her in that race, and she gave us that.”

Casse added that Wonder Gadot should only get better with more distance.

“We think the farther, the better,” he said. “If you watched her gallop out after the race, I thought it was amazing how well she handled the added distance.”

The winner of the Natalma earns a fees-paid berth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 3.

Key Contenders

Wonder Gadot, by Medaglia d’Oro
Beyer: 73

◗ Casse has won the Natalma a record seven times, including victories in each of the past three years. In addition to Wonder Gadot, Casse will send out Mo Big Cat and Pretty Lady.

Dixie Moon, by Curlin
Beyer: 74

◗ Her 74 Beyer Speed Figure for winning a seven-furlong sprint on Tapeta on Aug. 19 is the highest for a 2-year-old first-time starter at this meet.

March X Press, by Shanghai Bobby
Beyers: 78-53

◗ She’s the only stakes winner in the field, having improved her record to 2 for 2 in the Bolton Landing Stakes over 5 1/2 furlongs on turf at Saratoga on Aug. 16.

Golden Orb, by Orb
Beyer: 71

◗ One of three Saratoga shippers for the Natalma, Golden Orb enters off a maiden win in her career debut Aug. 6 over 1 1/16 miles on turf.

Capla Temptress, by Lope de Vega
Last 3 Beyers: N/A-N/A-N/A

◗ She started her career with two wins in England and was third in her most recent start, the Group 3 Sweet Solera Stakes over seven furlongs on turf.

Dooder, by Flatter
Beyer: 65

◗ Another debut winner, having scored for trainer Chad Brown on turf at Saratoga in a New York-bred maiden special weight over 1 1/16 miles on turf.