Wonder Gadot looks for happy ending in Demoiselle

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Trainer Mark Casse didn’t like the way things unfolded late for Wonder Gadot in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, so he’s hoping to pen a different ending to the filly’s 2-year-old season when he runs her back in Saturday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Demoiselle Stakes at Aqueduct.

Wonder Gadot finished sixth in the Juvenile Fillies but encountered significant trouble in deep stretch that cost her a shot at fifth, or maybe even fourth. Separationofpowers, who finished fourth, drifted out inside the sixteenth pole and jockey Patrick Husbands took up sharply on Wonder Gadot. She finished a half-length and a head behind Separationofpowers. The difference between sixth- and fourth-place money was $80,000.

“I think the trip cost her a couple of positions,” Casse said.

Following the Breeders’ Cup, Wonder Gadot shipped to Casse’s training center in Ocala, Fla., and trained well enough that Casse decided to point for the Demoiselle.

“She was feeling so good, she looked good,” Casse said. “I thought the mile and an eighth would just really suit her. I felt a little cheated in the Breeders’ Cup. We have a happy, healthy filly that I think is going to run well.”

:: Get extended Cyber Monday discounts on PPs, digital subscriptions, and more!

Casse also has John Velazquez, a five-time winner of the Demoiselle who has won on four of his last 16 mounts for Casse, including the Breeders’ Cup Mile on World Approval.

In the Breeders’ Cup, Wonder Gadot was 11th of 13 early on. In her start prior to that, she won the Grade 3 Mazarine over Woodbine’s synthetic surface on the front end.

“We had intended in the Breeders’ Cup to be up closer, but I think everybody else did, too,” Casse said. “We just got shuffled back. Johnny’s pretty aggressive early normally. I would doubt that would change.”

Trainer John Servis sends out the uncoupled entry of Daisy, undefeated winner of the Grade 3 Tempted, and Maurer Power, who has won both of her starts. Daisy breaks from the rail under Kendrick Carmouche, while Maurer Power gets Irad Ortiz Jr.

Maurer Power showed marked improvement from her maiden win at Delaware in July to her allowance win at Parx in October.

“I thought about the Tempted for her,” Servis said. “But I thought it was a little too quick coming back off a layoff. I didn’t want to wheel her back.”

Indy Union, a seventh-length maiden winner going a one-turn mile at Belmont on Oct. 26, has the pedigree to suggest 1 1/8 miles around two turns will suit her well.

“She’s got a big, beautiful stride,” trainer Jeremiah Englehart said. “She seems like it takes forever to get into gear.”

Vindictive Ways, Held Accountable, Layla Noor, and Stakes On a Plane complete the eight-horse field.