Seven to face Lady Eli in Wonder Again

ELMONT, N.Y. – Despite the imposing presence of the undefeated Breeders’ Cup champion Lady Eli, a field of eight 3-year-old fillies was drawn Thursday for Sunday’s $200,000 Wonder Again.

Lady Eli, perfect in four starts, launched her 3-year-old campaign with a 2 3/4-length victory in the Grade 3 Appalachian going a mile at Keeneland seven weeks ago and has continued to train impressively leading up to the nine-furlong Wonder Again.

Lady Eli’s competition on Sunday will include the undefeated Miss Chatelaine, who kicks off her season after having won twice in as many starts at 2. Trained by Christophe Clement, she won the Chelsea Flower Stakes over a yielding course here in her last start Oct. 25.

Itsonlyactingdad also will get a class check Sunday while going up against Lady Eli. Trained by Todd Pletcher for Starlight Racing, Itsonlyactingdad has won her last two starts after dropping her career debut by a head this winter at Gulfstream Park.

“I think our filly will appreciate a mile and one-eighth, and we’ll see where she fits,” said Pletcher. “I’d anticipate Lady Eli will be extremely difficult to beat in these circumstances, but our filly has won her last two, and you’ve got to run somewhere.”