‘Wonder-ful’ Test on Tap

The four-time Grade I-placed Wonder Gal (Tiz Wonderful) will take another swing at the highest level in a loaded renewal of Saturday’s GI Test S. at Saratoga.

Tabbed as a ‘TDN Rising Star’ after posting a double-digit debut score in the Lynbrook S. versus New York-breds last July, the dark bay has had her fair share of tough trips when a close third in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita Nov. 1 and in the GI Acorn S. at Belmont Park June 6 (video). Wonder Gal turns back to seven furlongs after a solid runner-up finish as the 7-2 favorite in the GI Mother Goose S. downstate June 27 (video).

Bred in the Empire State by Apache Farm LLC, the $210,000 OBSMAR purchase (click here for catalogue page) is the second foal from the unraced Dixie Union mare Passe.

“Wonder Gal seems to have more than her share of trips where she’s been in tight spots where she didn’t want to be or was pace compromised, but she’ll break through at the Grade I level one of these days,” owner Jeff Treadway commented. “She has a world of talent so I really believe it’s just a matter of time. We’ve adapted the plan for her several times this year due to races not going or missing a bit of training and the Test is no different. We were on the fence with a few different options–the Test, training up to the [GI] Alabama [Aug. 22], a state-bred allowance and the [GI] Cotillion [at Parx Sept. 19].”

He continued, “But at seven furlongs, the Test distance seemed to fit and gives us the ability to stretch her out next time. She missed a week of training after her first breeze here at Saratoga so the decision to run in the Test hinged on her work on Wednesday [bullet three furlongs in :36 3/5]–she passed.”

Treadway and trainer Leah Gyarmati have been here before. They, of course, also teamed up for a win in last year’s Test with Sweet Reason (Street Sense).

“Going into the Test last year with Sweet Reason, we were coming off a win in the Acorn with a very special horse that was training well, so our expectations for a good performance were high,” Treadway said. “You never want those high expectations, especially at Saratoga where it’s so hard to win a race at any level; but she delivered in a big way. It’s such an incredible track to win a big race, not just because it’s a special place, but to see so many racing fans really get into the racing makes it a great atmosphere.”

Treadway, a 53-year-old private investor from Texas, launched Treadway Racing Stable in 2009. Now based in Brooklyn, New York, he currently has 16 horses in training, mainly comprised of 2-year-olds. In addition to the aforementioned three-time Grade I winner Sweet Reason, Treadway also campaigns last term’s GII Jerome S. winner Noble Moon (Malibu Moon).

“With the success we were lucky enough to have with Sweet Reason and Wonder Gal, I’ve tried to focus on increasing the overall quality of our horses rather than the number of horses,” Treadway concluded. “If after several races we can’t find a level where the horse is competitive, we’re quick to retire the horse and find him or her a good home where they can do something they are more suited to. In that way, I hopefully keep the stable at a comfortable level and make sure all the horses are done right by.”