Casse hoping venue change will suit Wonder Gadot

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Wonder Gadot will meet quality locals Cosmic Burst, Amy’s Challenge, and Sassy Sienna on Friday when she invades for the Grade 3, $400,000 Fantasy at Oaklawn Park.

Wonder Gadot is based at Keeneland and was slated to arrive on the local scene Wednesday.

“Instead of waiting three more weeks for the Oaks, we decided to go ahead and run her,” trainer Mark Casse said. “She’s training well. She’s happy.”

The Fantasy shares a card with the Grade 1, $700,000 Apple Blossom Handicap as part of the $3.5 million Racing Festival of the South. The Fantasy’s first four finishers will earn Kentucky Oaks eligibility points on a scale of 100-40-20-10.

The Fantasy, at 1 1/16 miles, goes with an eight-horse field that also includes Princess Warrior, the runner-up in the Grade 1 Alcibiades last year at Keeneland.

KEY CONTENDERS

Wonder Gadot, by Medaglia d’Oro
Last 3 Beyers: 86-85-76

◗ She was a two-time graded stakes winner last year at 2 – taking the Mazarine at Woodbine and the Demoiselle at Aqueduct – and is looking for her first win at 3. Wonder Gadot is coming off the Fair Grounds 3-year-old filly series, running second in the Silverbulletday and third in both the Rachel Alexandra and Fair Grounds Oaks.

“I expected a little more out of her than she gave us,” Casse said of the races in New Orleans. “I’m hoping a different racetrack might even move her up a little.”

◗ David Cabrera has the mount for owner Gary Barber from post 8.

“I kind of would like to see her sit back a little more than she has and try to come with a run,” said Casse.

Cosmic Burst, by Violence
Last 3 Beyers: 84-72-80

◗ She ran down the front-running Amy’s Challenge in the stretch of last month’s Grade 3 Honeybee at Oaklawn to pick up 50 points for the Kentucky Oaks. It was the second stakes win for Cosmic Burst and her fourth win from six career starts.

“She takes everything in stride on raceday,” said trainer Donnie Von Hemel. “She hasn’t had a lot of stuff bother her. She’s run at four different tracks and handled herself well every time.

“I would like to think she knows what her job is now, would attempt to get her job done.”

◗ Cosmic Burst worked five-eighths in 1:01.40 in her final prep March 31.

“I thought that was as good a work as she’s had here at Oaklawn,” Von Hemel said.

◗ Cosmic Burst races for Norma Lee Stockseth and Todd Dunn.

Amy’s Challenge, by Artie Schiller
Last 3 Beyers: 81-80-92

◗ She boasts a 3-for-4 record with her lone loss coming in the Honeybee. The race was the first around two turns for Amy’s Challenge, and she set a quick pace while up by a large margin, then was overtaken late.

“I expect her to be in front again Friday,” said trainer Mac Robertson. “I hope it’s not 10 in front.”

◗ Robertson said that whether Amy’s Challenge might start in the Kentucky Oaks will be determined by the results of the Fantasy.

◗ Mike Smith has the mount for owner Novogratz Racing Stables.