Wonder Wheel Needs One KY Oaks Defection to Gain Entry

D. J. Stable's Wonder Wheel , a disappointing sixth in the April 7 Ashland Stakes (G1) at Keeneland, remains pointed to the May 5 Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs, Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse said.

As of April 14, she needs one Oaks defection to gain entry. The 1 1/8-mile race is capped at 14 starters, with preference given to horses with the most qualifying points earned in prep races. Wonder Wheel is currently 15th on the Kentucky Oaks leaderboard.

"It's hard to believe that a multiple grade 1 winner, a Breeders' Cup winner—may not qualify," Casse said.

Races for 2-year-olds and early races for 3-year-olds offer fewer qualifying points compared to final preps.

Casse, honored April 13 with his 15th Sovereign Award as Canada's outstanding trainer, said Wonder Wheel is at Churchill Downs with assistant trainer David Carroll, who has reported she is training as well as ever.

"I don't really have a good explanation" for her Ashland, Casse said.

She finished 5 3/4 lengths behind upsetter Defining Purpose  after stalking the pace under Tyler Gaffalione.

Casse pointed to her four wins and two seconds in seven starts in keeping his optimistic outlook with North America's champion 2-year-old filly of last year. Last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) and Alcibiades Stakes (G1) winner at Keeneland also scored twice in as many starts in 2022 at Churchill Downs. Before the Ashland, was second in the Suncoast Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs in her only other race at age 3.