Wondrwherecraigis Continues Winning Ways in Fire Plug
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Photo: Jerry Dzierwinski/Maryland Jockey Club
Wondrwherecraigis wins the Fire Plug Stakes at Laurel Park
Wondrwherecraigis continued his winning ways Jan. 29 at Laurel Park, drawing off by 3 3/4 lengths to capture the $100,000 Fire Plug Stakes on Winter Carnival Day.
The six-furlong contest was the 5-year-old Munnings gelding's fourth win in his last five starts, with his single loss coming from via disqualification for interference.
Ridden by Jevian Toledo, Wondrwherecraigis led from the start and set fractions of :22.52 and :45.98. He drew off to win by 3 3/4 lengths, completing the distance on a fast track in 1:10.71. The Brittany Russell trainee paid $3.20 on a $2 win ticket as the favorite.
The victory put Russell at ease after the trainer had noticed success for horses coming off the pace earlier on the card.
"Watching the races today, we got overthinking a little bit," she said. "At the end of the day, if you've got the best horse, you have to go."
Youngest of Five stalked the pace to finish second a length over Shackqueenking in third.
Russell said she had concern for Wondrwherecraigis' feet due to the cold weather making shoeing difficult, adding a December race plan was scrapped in favor of awaiting the Fire Plug.
"I was a nervous wreck the whole week," Russell said. "My blacksmith was the first phone call I made (post race). I said 'I don't know how you got this horse here today.' It's amazing.
"It's been a week trying to get him here. The fact that he ran like he did today, we're just going to enjoy it for now."
Edy helping Mom check in on Craig after his Fireplug romp @laurelpark pic.twitter.com/yNOAb97kfS
— Brittany Trimble Russell (@MrsRussell26) January 30, 2022
Wondrwherecraigis has earned $407,640 from a 7-1-1 record in 11 starts for owners Michael Dubb, The Elkstone Group, Madaket Stables, and Bethlehem Stables. The Fire Plug was his first race since taking the Oct. 31 Bold Ruler Handicap (G3) at Belmont Park. On Sept. 18 at Laurel, he was placed second by stewards in the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash Stakes (G3) after an inquiry, leaving Jalen Journey to move into first. That effort followed victories in the Aug. 13 Tale of the Cat Stakes at Saratoga Race Course and a July 18 allowance optional claimer at Pimlico Race Course.
He was purchased for $67,000 by Timber Stables from Taylor Made Sales Agency's consignment at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He was consigned by ELiTE to the 2020 Keeneland June Online Select Horses of Racing Age Sale Digital Sale but failed to meet his reserve at $210,000.
Fleur de Lis Stables bred Wondrwherecraigis in Kentucky from the Giant's Causeway mare Social Assassin . The gelding is the lone starter of four foals out of his dam, which also include a 2-year-old Mineshaft filly and yearling Take Charge Indy filly. Social Assassin was bred to Improbable for 2022. She last sold for $80,000 to Two Hearts Farm II out of Taylor Made's consignment at the 2020 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale.
Video: Fire Plug S. (BT)
Full Stakes Roundup
The Fire Plug was one of six stakes at Laurel Saturday. Also on the card, Elizabeth Merryman's Pennsylvania homebred Witty romped by 7 3/4 lengths in the $100,000 Spectacular Bid Stakes for 3-year-olds. Ridden by Carol Cedeno, the Great Notion gelding completed seven furlongs in 1:25.38. He is trained by McLane Hendriks and ran his win streak to three in his fourth start.
Video: Spectacular Bid S. (BT)
Three Diamonds Farm's Time Limit collected her first stakes score with a 1 1/4-length win in the $100,000 What A Summer Stakes. Trained by Mike Maker and ridden by Victor Carrasco, the 5-year-old Bustin Stones mare bred in New York ran the six furlongs for older fillies and mares in 1:11.39.
Video: What A Summer S. (BT)
Deborah Greene and trainer Hamilton Smith's Luna Belle bested fellow sophomore fillies by six lengths in the $100,000 Xtra Heat Stakes. The Maryland-bred Great Notion filly raced six furlongs in 1:12.03. Denis Araujo was in the irons.
Video: Xtra Heat S. (BT)
Hillwood Stable's Cordmaker won his third straight stakes at Laurel in the $75,000 Jennings Stakes, a mile race for older Maryland-bred or -sired older horses. The 7-year-old Curlin gelding dug in for a neck victory under Carrasco to hit the wire in 1:39.70. He is trained by Rodney Jenkins.
Video: Jennings S. (BT)
In the $75,000 Geisha Stakes, a mile for Maryland-bred or -sired older fillies and mares, Three Diamonds Farm's Kiss the Girl drew off to win by 4 1/2 lengths. Carrasco was aboard the 5-year-old Into Mischief mare for trainer Mike Trombetta. Her final time was 1:40.69.