Scratch of speedy rival from Gravesend a big break for Chateau

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The complexion of Sunday’s $100,000 Gravesend Stakes at Aqueduct dramatically changed Friday with the news that Grade 3 stakes winner Wondrwherecraigis would have to scratch from the race due to an infection in his foot.

“He had a little setback this morning,” trainer Brittany Russell said Friday afternoon. “No big deal, but we’re not going to make Sunday. Bad timing.”

Russell said Wondrwherecraigis already started showing improvement early Friday afternoon.

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The scratch of the speedy Wondrwherecraigis, winner of the Grade 3 Bold Ruler at Belmont Park in his most recent start, leaves Chateau as the horse to catch and beat in the Gravesend.

Chateau’s trainer, Rob Atras, had expressed concern about his horse getting embroiled in a speed duel with Wondrwherecraigis, noting that his horse has one way of going and that was not going to change in the Gravesend.

“Everyone knows his running style,” Atras said. “We’re not going to change it for the race.”

Chateau used his speed to win a second-level allowance and the Grade 3 Tom Fool Handicap at Aqueduct last winter. Chateau ran three more times, getting a break following a third-place finish behind Yaupon in the Lite the Fuse Stakes on July 4 at Laurel Park.

When Chateau returned, he finished last of seven in an allowance on Sept. 13 at Parx Racing. Atras said the horse simply didn’t handle the sloppy Parx surface that day and he threw the race out.

Chateau finished third in the Grade 3 Fall Highweight here Nov. 28, an effort Atras felt was solid and would allow the 6-year-old gelding to move forward.

Chateau, the 126-pound highweight on Sunday, will break from the outside post under Kendrick Carmouche in what is now a five-horse field.

Jaxon Traveler also could be part of the pace, breaking from the rail under Jose Lezcano. The 3-year-old son of Munnings, trained by Steve Asmussen, has done his best work from a forward position, winning three stakes and placing in six others.

The confirmed closers all have to run better than they have recently to pull an upset. The trio of Wendell Fong, Majestic Dunhill, and Drafted are a combined 2 for 29 over the last two seasons. Majestic Dunhill won the Grade 3 Bold Ruler Handicap in October 2020 and has raced only three times since.

Wendell Fong won the Fire Plug Stakes at Laurel in January and, most recently, was fourth in the Fall Highweight. Drafted is winless in his last 11 starts and is coming off a runner-up finish in an optional claimer here Nov. 20.

The Gravesend, which goes as race 7, shares billing with the $125,000 Queens County Stakes on the last card at Aqueduct until Dec. 30.

– additional reporting by Mike Welsch