August 26, 2017 - Woodbine, Race 3, Alw, CAD $59,682, 7F
1st Dam: Loving Vindication
2st Dam: Chimichurri
2st Dam: Hard Knocker
Owner: Gary Barber
Breeder: Anderson Farms Ont. Inc. (ON)
Trainer: Mark E. Casse
Wonder Gadot (Medaglia d’Oro), smashed down to 8-5 for this unveiling while facing winners in this prep for the Sept. 17 GI Natalma S., ran to advanced billing and kicked away from her competition impressively to become the fourth ‘TDN Rising Star’ crowned on a busy Saturday of racing. The $80,000 KEESEP yearling turned $325,000 OBSAPR buy (:10 2/5) broke well, and sat in a joint second in the two path behind a slow pace. Advancing ominously to the fore in upper stretch, she kicked away from her competition under mild pressure and seemed to be getting better the longer she went, striking the line four lengths to the good in 1:21.96 before galloping out far in front. Stakes-placed Mo Big Cat (Uncle Mo) completed an exacta for owner Gary Barber and trainer Mark Casse. Barber and Casse were represented in this same race by a winning maiden in 2015 when second timer Catch a Glimpse (City Zip) took to the turf. She’d add the Natalma and GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf that season en route to Canadian Horse of the Year honors. Wonder Gadot was featured in Steve Sherack’s piece on Mark Casse juveniles in July. In it, Casse said of Wonder Gadot, “Normally the Canadian-breds go to Canada, but she’s trained so well that she’ll probably get a start at Saratoga.†Wonder Gadot had four recorded works over the Saratoga main track before shipping up to Etobicoke earlier this month. She is a full-sister to Solemn Tribute (Medaglia d’Oro), SW & GSP, $181,234, and half to a Hard Spun yearling filly and Bodemeister weanling colt. Her dam was bred back to Nyquist. Loving Vindication, a winner at two herself, is a daughter of GSW and GISP Chimichurri (Elusive Quality).
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