Wonder Gadot gets the trip, wins Queen’s Plate 2018
Wonder Gadot, who emerged as a major player last out with a runner-up effort in the Kentucky Oaks, did one better Saturday to win the million-dollar Queen's Plate, beating the boys to open the Canadian Triple Crown series at Woodbine.
And this one was a long time coming.
Worse than third only once in 11 starts entering the Queen's Plate, Wonder Gadot was pushed wide in her final two Oaks preps, ran into the super filly Monomoy Girl in the Oaks, and then was squeezed last out in the Woodbine Oaks.
This time she added blinkers got the trip under jockey John Velazquez, who kept her in the clear most of the way on the All Weather Track. It was over when they made a three-wide move at the top of the lane.
"I've been chasing this race for quite a while now," said the Hall of Famer Velazquez, who was up for trainer Mark Casse. "...I think she was crying for blinkers for a long time."
"Perfect trip," Velazquez said. "...I put her in the clear and went on little by little. Got to the quarter pole, and I asked her. She responded really good."
Aheadbyacentury ended up second, while Cooler Mike made a strong middle move for third in the field of 16 -- largest in North America since the Kentucky Derby.
A daughter of Medaglia d'Oro, Wonder Gadot is the second straight filly to win the Queen's Plate following Holy Helena. She's campaigned by former movie executive Gary Barber and named after Gal Gadot, who starred in the 2017 film "Wonder Woman."
"She was amazing," Barber said, "Johnny rode her with confidence. I think the blinkers -- it was completely right to put the blinkers on. We've been so close this whole year. This is a crowning achievement -- love it."
Wonder Gadot had finished in the runner-up spot three straight races before the Queen's Plate. Going back to her 2-year-old finale, she dominated in the Grade 2 Demoiselle, prompting Casse to consider the Kentucky Derby trail for the $325,000 purchase. Wonder Gadot ultimately proved she's as fast as the boys Saturday.