Wonder Gadot back on Tapeta in Woodbine Oaks

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Kentucky Oaks runner-up Wonder Gadot will return to racing on a synthetic surface in Saturday’s $500,000 Woodbine Oaks, the first jewel of the Canadian Triple Tiara series for Canadian-bred 3-year-old fillies, over 1 1/8 miles on Woodbine’s Tapeta.

Wonder Gadot dominated her only start on Tapeta, winning the Grade 3 Mazarine Stakes by six lengths in 2017. While Wonder Gadot has made her last seven starts on dirt, trainer Mark Casse said she should relish a return to the Tapeta.

“We’ve said all along we think Tapeta is her favorite surface,” he said. “She’s so versatile. She can do a little bit of anything.”

Wonder Gadot lost to Monomoy Girl by a half-length in the Kentucky Oaks on May 4 at Churchill Downs in her most recent start. Casse said Wonder Gadot has been training well for the Woodbine Oaks. She breezed five furlongs in 59.40 seconds here May 26 before covering four furlongs in 48.40 on June 1.

“We’ve been working on getting her to relax,” Casse said. “She’s done really well. We’ve just let her stretch her legs.”

Key Contenders

Wonder Gadot, by Medaglia d’Oro
Last 3 Beyers: 96-82-86

◗ Wonder Gadot is the only entrant to have raced 1 1/8 miles, with her start in the Kentucky Oaks and a win in the Grade 2 Demoiselle Stakes at Aqueduct last November on dirt.

◗ A good performance Saturday could lead to a start in the $1 million Queen’s Plate against males over 1 1/4 miles on June 30.

Dixie Moon, by Curlin
Last 3 Beyers: 85-64-66

◗ She rebounded nicely off a ninth-place finish in the Grade 2 Appalachian Stakes at Keeneland to run second in the Grade 3 Selene Stakes on May 19. After being forwardly placed in most of her races as a 2-year-old, Dixie Moon settled off the pace in the Selene, which could be an effective tactic in the Oaks.

Hot Cash, by Ghostzapper
Last 3 Beyers: 80-68-71

◗ She’s a maiden but ran her best race last out May 4 at Belmont Park, recording an 80 Beyer Speed Figure in a one-mile maiden special weight on dirt while adding Lasix. She’ll look to give owner Stronach Stables and trainer Jimmy Jerkens a second straight Woodbine Oaks win.

Fairy Hill, by Sligo Bay
Last 3 Beyers: 69-68-65

◗ She set a slow pace en route to a gate-to-wire score in allowance company May 19 for leading trainer Norm McKnight. In her only stakes engagement, she finished seventh in the Ontario Lassie Stakes last November.

Queen’s Fate, by Artie Schiller
Last 3 Beyers: 47-29-48

◗ She hasn’t been able to replicate her 2-year-old form in her three starts this year, finishing fifth, eighth, and ninth in stakes. She hit the board in all three of her starts last year, including a runner-up finish in the Ontario Lassie.