Wonder Wheel Breezes Toward Return to Racing in Florida

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Wonder Wheel Breezes Toward Return to Racing in Florida
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Photo: Anika Miskar
Wonder Wheel at Keeneland

D. J. Stable's Wonder Wheel , the presumptive champion 2-year-old filly of 2022, took her first step toward a return at age 3 by breezing three furlongs in :35 4/5 at Casse Training Center Jan. 11. Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse reported she is "doing great" and came out of the work in good condition.

Wednesday's breeze was her first since she captured the Nov. 4 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Keeneland, a victory that, along with an earlier score in the Oct. 7 Alcibiades Stakes (G1) there, will undoubtedly lead to her being honored with a championship at an Eclipse Award ceremony Jan. 26 in South Florida.

Casse wishes to race her once this winter in Florida before starting her in the April 7 Ashland Stakes (G1) at Keeneland. Florida options include the $150,000 Suncoast Stakes, a two-turn race at a mile and 40 yards Feb. 11 at Tampa Bay Downs, or the $200,000 Davona Dale Stakes (G2) at a mile March 4 at Gulfstream Park. 

Casse currently prefers the Davona Dale despite its one-turn configuration.

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"It's not ideal, but it's best when I'm looking at timing," he said.

Both the Suncoast and Davona Dale are qualifiers toward the May 5 Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs, with the Davona Dale providing qualifying points on a higher scale. Wonder Wheel tops the Kentucky Oaks leaderboard with 40 points.