Canadian-bred filly Wonder Gadot chasing history at US$1.25-million Travers
History won’t be on Wonder Gadot’s side at the US$1.25-million Travers Stakes.
Only seven fillies have ever won the Grade 1 race, none since Lady Rotha in 1915. And when the Queen’s Plate and Prince of Wales Stakes champion settles in the starter’s gate Saturday at Saratoga, she’ll become the first filly to run in the 1 1/4-mile event since Davona Dale in 1979.
The Travers will be Wonder Gadot’s third straight race against males but trainer Mark Casse, 10 times Canada’s top conditioner, doesn’t see running in Saturday’s race as a calculated gamble.
“I really feel she’s as good as any of them,” Casse said during a conference call Tuesday. “To be able to accomplish something that hasn’t been accomplished in over 100 years, I think it makes sense and Gary (American owner Gary Barber) thinks it makes sense.