Wonder Mon romps in return

The long-idle Wonder Mon ($8.40) ended a six-race losing streak when he rallied in the stretch to score by 6 1/4 lengths in the $50,000 Deputed Testamony Stakes at Laurel Park.

Making his first start since May 3, Wonder Mon was last of seven through the first six furlongs. He surged into contention up the inside under jockey Travis Dunkelberger, then blew past 2-1 favorite Casanova Jack and won handily in the one-mile race for Maryland-breds. The winning time was 1:37.32.

Casanova Jack, racing with first-time Lasix and making his first start since finishing second on turf in last November's Laurel Futurity, held second, 1 1/4 lengths in front of the pacesetter, Malibu Kid.

Trained by Gary Capuano for the Z W P Stable, Wonder Mon began his career by winning his first two races at Laurel, but then was off the board in the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, the Private Terms at Laurel, and the Federico Tesio at Pimlico, chasing such quality runners as Smooth Air, Cool Coal Man and Hey Byrn.

"He wasn't good enough to beat them," said Capuano. "I still don't know if he can now but he ran an unbelievable race today. He still has more to prove. We tried earlier this spring and it didn't quite work out. I think he'll get better as he gets older."