Wonder Gal on top of game for Gallant Bloom

ELMONT, N.Y. – Wonder Gal returned from a seven-month layoff Sept. 2 with the best performance of her career, winning a New York-bred allowance race by 11 1/2 lengths at Saratoga. On Saturday, she is scheduled to return to open company in the Grade 2, $300,000 Gallant Bloom Handicap at Belmont Park with an eye toward the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.

The 4-year-old Wonder Gal, third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita as a 2-year-old, had breathing issues earlier this year. She underwent a myectomy following her fifth-place finish in the Grade 2 Barbara Fritchie at Laurel in February. Following some other minor issues, she returned with a sensational effort in the Saratoga allowance, running 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:15.26 and earning a career-best 100 Beyer Speed Figure.

Trainer Leah Gyarmati said that Wonder Gal had been running spotty in some of her races toward the end of her 3-year-old season and earlier this year.

“I think she wasn’t able to breathe,” said Gyarmati, noting that the surgical procedure “seemed to change her attitude. Once we did that, she was a lot more relaxed in her training, her head carriage changed. The race was a good one.”

Others pointing to the Gallant Bloom include last year’s Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint winner, Wavell Avenue, Hot City Girl, Lucy N Ethel, Paulassilverlining, Quezon, Stonetastic, and Fusaichi Red.

◗ Oscar Performance, a 10 1/4-length maiden winner at Saratoga on Aug. 22, tops the field scheduled to enter Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Pilgrim for juvenile males on turf. Others expected to run include Berks County, Bird’s Eye View, Frostmourne, J.S. Choice, and Oiseau de Guerre.