'Plan B' Proves Effective for Segesta in Wonder Again

Patience proved key for Irad Ortiz Jr. as his "plan B" turned into a winning ride for Juddmonte Farms homebred Segesta  in the $200,000 Wonder Again Stakes (G2T) at Aqueduct Racetrack May 27.

Breaking sharply from the rail, it looked momentarily as if Ortiz would have the lead to himself. However, Jose Lezcano aboard Curlin's Girl  had other plans and moved up to challenge.

"On paper it looked like my filly's the speed of the race, so I go out with that plan," Ortiz said. "But if somebody wants it so bad, then I can go to plan B and relax. …The outside horse went for it. I just took a little hold and my filly came back to me and she settled. She relaxed and she waited for me."

The move was wise as Curlin's Girl flashed an opening quarter in :22.91. Ortiz took up position in second but was soon challenged for that spot by the 3-5 favorite and stablemate Sweet Rebecca . Ortiz allowed her to chase after the leader and tracked third aboard Segesta from the rail.

After a half-mile in :46.91 and six furlongs in 1:11.41, it appeared as though Sweet Rebecca, eager throughout under Tyler Gaffalione's hold, was ready to mount her assault.

Despite the course being listed as firm, showery weather left the ground wet. As the field approached the 5/16ths pole, Sweet Rebecca lost her footing and slipped, ruining her momentum as she came off the bridle. She would fade to finish fifth.

"I'm hopeful she comes out of the race okay," Brown said. "Tyler said after she took that step, she did not feel the same down the stretch, so fingers crossed she didn't get injured."

The mishap opened the door for Brown's other trainee, Segesta.

"(Sweet Rebecca) was the filly to beat today. I sat there patient, waiting," Ortiz said. "(When Sweet Rebecca took a bad step), she drifted a little bit. Left a huge space for me to go forward and I decided to go. It worked out perfect for me."

Segesta passed a tiring Curlin's Girl at the 3/16ths pole and was emboldened by challenges from Sy B  and Vive Veuve , holding them off for a hard-earned, half-length victory. Sy B would finish second and Vive Veuve was third.

Segesta paid $10 to win while stopping the clock in 1:48.24 for the 1 1/8-mile distance.

The victory was the sixth for Brown in the Wonder Again, and his third in a row. In her previous start the daughter of Ghostzapper   broke her maiden at third asking April 21 at Keeneland and impressed Brown enough to bring her back in stakes company.

"The more I thought about it, she has the look of a horse that could stretch out—rangy, big stride on her," Brown said.

Segesta improved her record to 2-1-0 from four starts with earnings of $173,675. Winning her stakes debut earned her an automatic spot in the July 6 Belmont Oaks Invitational (G1T) at Aqueduct.

Ghostzapper stands for $75,000 at Hill 'n' Dale Farms near Paris, Ky. Segesta follows Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Stronghold  as his graded stakes winners to date in 2024.