Wonder Gadot to Start Season Friday at Oaklawn

Gary Barber's Wonder Gadot, who defeated males in the first two legs of last year's Canadian Triple Crown, is scheduled to make her 4-year-old season debut in the eighth race March 8 at Oaklawn Park.

Trainer Mark Casse hopes the one-mile optional-claiming allowance for older fillies and mares serves as a steppingstone to the $750,000 Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) April 14.

"That's why she's there, if everything goes well," Casse said March 6. 

Wonder Gadot hasn't started since finishing ninth in the $2 million Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs. After finishing second in the Fantasy Stakes (G3) in April at Oaklawn, Wonder Gadot finished second in the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) May 4 at Churchill before beating males in the first two legs of the Canadian Triple Crown, including the Queen's Plate Stakes June 30 at Woodbine.

"A mile is maybe just a touch on the short side for her, but given her time off and everything, I think it's perfect," Casse said. "It's a good spot for us to get going. Hopefully it leads to bigger and better things down the road, but it's a nice beginning for the year."

Wonder Gadot has recorded five published workouts since Jan. 7, with the past two coming at Oaklawn. Wonder Gadot handily breezed five furlongs from the gate in 1:01 2/5 Feb. 24. 

Wonder Gadot, the 6-5 program favorite, is scheduled to break from post 6 under David Cohen in Friday's projected seven-horse field.