Wonder Gal in familiar situation in Empire Distaff

ELMONT, N.Y. – Last year, Wonder Gal came off an eighth-place finish in the Grade 1 Test at seven furlongs to win the Empire Distaff at Belmont Park by a convincing 2 1/2 lengths. On Saturday, she will try to bounce back off a fifth-place finish in the Grade 2 Gallant Bloom at 6 1/2 furlongs in the $250,000 Distaff at 1 1/16 miles.

Trainer Leah Gyarmati said she and owner Jeff Treadway chose the Distaff over the $150,000 Iroquois at 6 1/2 furlongs because they felt the race would be “a little bit softer, and she won’t have to run off her feet,” Gyarmati said.

Distaff contender Bar of Gold, who beat Haveyougoneaway in the Critical Eye going a mile in the spring, is 4 for 4 against New York-bred competition. She is coming off a third-place finish in the Presque Isle Masters.

Bar of Gold drew the rail, and Wonder Gal drew post 2 for the Distaff. Outside of them are Isabelle, Mecke’s Madalyn, Jules N Rome, Highway Star, JC’s Shooting Star, Super Surprise, and Literata.