Wonder Wheel puts in strong drill for Spinaway

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Mark Casse was at Woodbine early Friday morning, pacing around like an expectant father awaiting word from his team at Saratoga about his star 2-year-old filly Wonder Wheel and her final serious work in preparation for the Grade 1 Spinaway here Sept. 4.

As things turned out, the wait was worth it.

Wonder Wheel, working in company with Bring Theband Home, a game maiden winner in her own right earlier in the meet, looked sensational going five furlongs in 59.66 seconds after an opening three furlongs in 35.34, leaving her mate in her wake before galloping out in impressive fashion, six furlongs in 1:12.84 and out seven-eighths in 1:26.69 with regular rider Tyler Gaffalione aboard.

“It’s brutal when you’re not there,” said Casse, who is at Woodbine to saddle Hall of Dreams and Sir for Sure in Sunday’s Queen’s Plate. “Fortunately, they were able to videotape [the work] for me, and she looked amazing. Saratoga is pretty deep. You seldom see them carry it on like she did on the gallop-out. To go 1:26 on that track is pretty impressive.”

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Casse said Gaffalione validated his impression of the work later that morning.

“Tyler said she did it so effortlessly,” Casse said. “He said she goes to the pole like nothing and didn’t want to pull up.”
Wonder Wheel will enter the Spinaway off two easy victories at Churchill Downs to open her career, including a 6 3/4-length triumph in the Grade 3 Debutante for which she earned a 76 Beyer Speed Figure going six furlongs in her most recent start. The Spinaway will be decided at seven furlongs.

“I wish the race was next week, I’m ready to run her,” Casse said. “This was her big work. I’ll come back and do something easy with her next week. She seems special, but she’s going to have to be. The Spinaway appears to be coming up a very strong race.”

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