Wondrwherecraigis delivers Bold Ruler for trainer Russell
Wondrwherecraigis kicked off what should be a memorable 24-hour period for Brittany Russell, giving the trainer her first graded stakes victory the day before she is scheduled to give birth to her second child.
Wondrwherecraigis jumped out on top under Luis Saez and led all the way to win Sunday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Bold Ruler Handicap by 2 1/4 lengths over Continuation at Belmont Park.
It was 3 1/2 lengths back to even-money favorite Plainsman in third.
It was the 19th career stakes victory for Russell, but first in a graded event. On Sept. 18, Wondrwherecraigis crossed the finish line first in the Grade 3 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash at Laurel Park, but was disqualified for drifting out and interfering with Jalen Journey at the sixteenth pole.
“It’s huge, especially up there in New York, people notice that, it’s a huge deal,” Russell said about winning her first graded race. “It feels amazing.
“We were so gutted when he got DQ’d in the Dash,” Russell added. “You look at it today, it feels so good. As much as that disappointed us, it’s pretty cool how it all worked out.”
Russell watched the race from her home in Maryland with her husband Sheldon, a jockey, and the couple’s 2-year-old daughter, Edy. The family is about to grow as Brittany is scheduled to undergo a C-section on Monday for the birth of the couple’s second child.
“We’re still on for tomorrow,” she said. “We’re really going to have our hands full.”
Wondrwherecraigis made quick work of the Bold Ruler, opening up a one-length lead after a quarter in 23.78 seconds and had a 1 1/2-length lead after a half-mile in 46.95. It was pretty much over from there, as Wondrwherecraigis ultimately completed the seven furlongs in 1:23.31 over a sloppy track and returned $6.40 as the second choice.
“You see 23-and-a-piece and that made you feel pretty good,” Russell said. “You had confidence the whole way, the way he broke and Luis took control and he did a beautiful job.”
Continuation rallied for second while Plainsman, who had to steady at the three-eighths pole, had to settle for third. Drafted, Amatteroftime, who jumped up at the break, Wendell Fong, and Lil Commissioner completed the order of finish. Bal Harbour scratched.
Wondrwherecraigis, a 4-year-old gelding by Munnings owned by Michael Dubb, the Elkstone Group, and Madaket Stables, improved his record to 6-1-1 from 10 starts. It’s unclear where he may run next, though the Grade 3, $200,000 Fall Highweight Handicap on Nov. 28 could be one option.
Russell figures to have plenty of sleepless nights ahead to figure it all out.