Gyarmati back for more with Sweet Reason, Wonder Gal

ARCADIA, Calif. – Last year’s trip to the Breeders’ Cup proved not to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for trainer Leah Gyarmati.

The former jockey turned trainer came to Santa Anita in 2013 with Sweet Reason, who finished fourth as the 5-2 favorite in the Juvenile Fillies. Gyarmati has returned to Southern California for the second straight year and again will participate in the $2 million Juvenile Fillies with the New York-bred Wonder Gal. For good measure, Gyarmati has brought back Sweet Reason to run in the $1 million Filly and Mare Sprint.

“Not too many people get to come here once, let alone twice, and then to come with two horses,” Gyarmati said Monday at Santa Anita. “Very blessed.”

On Monday, Gyarmati worked both of her Breeders’ Cup entrants. Wonder Gal, a sneaky longshot in the Juvenile Fillies, worked four furlongs in 48 seconds flat. Earlier, Sweet Reason worked a half-mile in 47.30.

Both horses arrived Saturday from New York. One could tell that Wonder Gal was still getting used to her surroundings as she tossed her head about before breaking off into her work. She went her opening quarter in 23.79 seconds and her second quarter in 24.21. Wonder Gal galloped out five furlongs in 1:00.88 and six furlongs in 1:14.20.

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“I thought the work was good, a little quicker early than I would have liked. I would like her to settle a little bit, but I think she’ll be fine,” Gyarmati said. “It was just her second time over the track, so I think she was a little keyed up.”

Wonder Gal, a daughter of Tiz Wonderful, won a New York-bred stakes by 14 1/4 lengths in her career debut. In the Grade 2 Adirondack at Saratoga, Wonder Gal had a difficult trip along the inside, as jockey Taylor Rice was forced to check hard, and the filly nearly went into the rail.

“For a big filly like her to have that happen and basically be stopped and then get herself together and kick back on and be third, I thought she ran huge,” Gyarmati said.

Wonder Gal came back in the Grade 1 Frizette and was on the inside part of an extremely sloppy track when finishing second to By the Moon.

“We were on the inside, and that probably was not the best place to be that day,” Gyarmati said. “Considering that, again, I thought she ran huge.”

Gyarmati has secured the services of Mike Smith for the Juvenile Fillies.

In New York, Frizette winner By the Moon worked five furlongs in 1:02.20 over the Belmont Park training track. By the Moon worked outside of stablemate and Grade 2 stakes winner Paulassilverlining, finishing a length in front of her while getting her last quarter in 25.20 seconds.

“It was very straightforward, basic stuff,” trainer Michelle Nevin said. “She did it the right way, nice and comfortable, nice and easy. We’re happy.”

By the Moon was scheduled to ship to Santa Anita on Tuesday.

Take Charge Brandi worked four furlongs in 49 seconds Monday morning at Santa Anita.

– additional reporting by Mike Vesce