Wondrwherecraigis runs away from rivals in Tale of the Cat Stakes
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Originally, owner Michael Dubb wasn’t sure Wondrwherecraigis was New York caliber, which is why he sent him to Maryland and trainer Brittany Russell.
Though he twice previously shipped to New York for stakes - running respectably in both - Wondrwherecraigis had won 4 of 5 starts in the Mid-Atlantic region, recording two wins each at Laurel and Pimlico.
On Friday, Wondrwherecraigis showed he is indeed New York caliber, flaunting his speed under Luis Saez to post a 2 3/4-length victory in the $100,000 Tale of the Cat Stakes at Saratoga.
My Boy Tate rallied to be second, 2 1/4 lengths clear of Foolish Ghost, who beat My Boy Tate in the John Morrissey Stakes and who Friday was the 2-1 favorite. It marked the third time in the last three runnings of this race that My Boy Tate finished second.
Wind of Change, Shashashakemeup and Bon Raison, the 2019 winner of this race, completed the order of finish.
Luis Saez rode Wondrwherecraigis to victory. It was his third on the card and 39th of the meet, giving him a seven-win lead over Jose Ortiz atop the jockey standings.
Saez said Wondrwherecraigis broke sharply, but he felt the horse was clipped from behind by Wind of Change. Wondrwherecraigis did appear to be bobble soon after the start.
“It felt like somebody clipped heels with him and he fell from behind right after the start, but he’s a pretty fast horse and second jump he was right there,” Saez said.
Foolish Ghost pressed Wondrwherecraigis through an opening quarter in 22.68 seconds, but Wondrwherecraigis was able to get clear after a half-mile in 45.17 seconds.
Turning into the stretch, Wondrwherecraigis began to drift out several paths, but it didn’t matter.
“I tried to do my best but he was already pretty well in front and I didn’t want to overdo it too much with him,” Saez said. “He was trying so hard.”
Wondrwherecraigis, a 4-year-old gelding by Munnings owned by Dubb, Stuart Grant’s Elkstone Group and Michael Caruso and Madaket Stables, covered the six furlongs in 1:09.53 and returned $8. as the second choice.
“Brittany’s developed this horse nicely,” Dubb said. “Not a lot of races, but all quality races.”
Russell, who is 7 1/2 months pregnant, was not able to witness her first Saratoga stakes win in person.
“The partners have let us do what we’ve needed to do with him and it’s just rewarding to see patience pay off,” Russell told NYRA publicity. “You win a stake at Saratoga, that’s a big deal. It’s so nice to see something go the right way for such a cool horse. He’s a gelding and if we keep doing things right by him, he’ll be around for a while.”