Stakes could soon be in the cards for undefeated Shane's Wonder

Now undefeated in two career starts, Shane’s Wonder has trainer Alfredo Velazquez in an excitable mood at Parx Racing. A potential stakes start could be on the horizon if the 3-year-old colt keeps making magic on the lead.

In his second start on Wednesday, March 25, Shane’s Wonder faced open company for the first time in a first-level allowance with a $75,000 optional claiming tag. In his second start under jockey Eliseo Ruiz, he looked even sharper than he did in a statebred maiden special weight in February.

“I asked Eliseo why he let him go so fast,” Velazquez said. “He told me, ‘I didn’t even move my hands.' ”

Kicking clear early, Shane's Wonder sustained early pressure on the backstretch before sailing away to a 3 1/4-length victory, completing the 6 1/2-furlong distance in 1:17.07. He earned an 86 Beyer Speed Figure, tied for the highest earned by a 3-year-old at Parx this year.

:: Access the most trusted data and information in horse racing! DRF Past Performances and Picks are available now.

“He has a lot of speed,” Velazquez said. “He got a little more pressure from better horses, but he did it easy. I’m very happy.”

Velazquez said he has a clear plan for his talented sprinter and doesn’t envision slowing down now. The trainer said he will try to find a statebred allowance on a short turnaround, which could potentially prepare the colt for the $75,000 Wait For It, a six-furlong statebred stakes at Parx on April 22.

Before Shane’s Wonder’s debut in February, an 11 1/2-length maiden score, Ruiz told Velazquez that the young Pennsylvania-bred might even be better than Buccherino, the trainer’s prized stakes winner who’s easing his way toward a summer return. Velazquez scoffed then and remains skeptical now, but his budding talent has not run a stray step yet.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.