Shane's Wonder drawing comparisons to stakes-winning stablemate after debut romp
Before Shane’s Wonder made his debut at Parx Racing on Tuesday, Alfredo Velazquez received a stunning report from jockey Eliseo Ruiz after a morning workout. The trainer might have been prepared for a comparison to four-time stakes winner Buccherino, the undisputed star of his stable, but he was indignant when Ruiz went a step further describing the unraced colt.
“We knew he was a runner because [Ruiz] told me he’s a better horse than Buccherino,” Velazquez said. “I told him he had to be drinking or smoking or something.“
He might not live up to his stablemate just yet, but Shane’s Wonder certainly gave Ruiz a leg up in his teasing debate with Velazquez on Tuesday. The jockey had little to do aboard the 3-year-old as he rocketed home to an 11 1/2-length victory in a statebred maiden special weight.
After scrapping for the early lead out of the gate, the Pennsylvania-bred first-time starter sprinted clear through an opening quarter-mile in 22.53 seconds. Ruiz managed to ease him slightly through a half-mile in 47.31, and he was six lengths clear by the time he reached the stretch.
He completed the six-furlong distance on a sealed muddy track in 1:12.40. Later on the Tuesday card at Parx, 3-year-old gelding Gold in My Hands won a six-furlong maiden special weight in open company in 1:14.19.
Bred and owned by Uptowncharlybrown Stud, Shane’s Wonder is sired by graded stakes-placed runner Eastwood, who has gradually earned a foothold as a stallion in Pennsylvania. His dam, One Fast Chick, won six starts in Pennsylvania and placed in a restricted stakes at Delaware Park in 2015.
Velazquez said he’s excited about his “smart baby,” but he may not rush into any difficult spots just yet. A conditioned allowance at Parx is his likeliest next start, though the trainer said he would consider races in statebred and open company going forward. A stakes attempt might be in the cards soon.
As for Buccherino, who last finished second in a $55,000 allowance at Parx on Feb. 4, Velazquez has had immense trouble getting him consistent training time because of poor weather. He nominated him for the Grade 3 Tom Fool at Aqueduct on Feb. 28, but he said he will likely wait until March before running him again.
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