Wonder Wheel digs in for Alcibiades score

Oct 07, 2022 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

The first finish line at Keeneland came up just in time for Wonder Wheel
in Friday's $497,337 Alcibiades S. (G1). A lukewarm 4-1 favorite in a field of
14 juvenile fillies, Wonder Wheel clung to victory by a nose in the 1 1/16-mile
Road to the Kentucky Oaks series race.

Ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, Wonder Wheel led throughout in the Alcibiades,
setting an early pace of :23.49, :47.16, and 1:11.60. Although she built a
three-length advantage with a furlong to go, the Mark Casse trainee staggered
home while lasting over Chop Chop, who made a sustained rally from 11th to make
it close.

Raging Sea crossed the wire in third, a neck behind Chop Chop, but was
disqualified and placed fourth behind Xigera after bumping that rival in the stretch. Sabra Tuff,
a 74-1 outsider, finished fifth.

Owned by D. J. Stable, Wonder Wheel covered one lap of Keeneland's fast track
in 1:45.17 and paid $10.20.

As part of the 2023 Road to the Kentucky Oaks series, the Alcibiades awarded
a total of 20 qualifying points toward next May's three-year-old filly fixture
at Churchill Downs. Wonder Wheel earned 10 points, Chop Chop four points, Xigera
three points, Raging Sea two points, and Sabra Tuff one point.

This was the second stakes win for Wonder Wheel, who captured the July 4
Debutante S. at Churchill by 6 3/4 lengths. She was most recently second as the
favorite in the Spinaway (G1) at Saratoga.

Bred in Kentucky by Three Chimneys Farm and Clearsky Farms, Wonder Wheel was
sold for $275,000 at Keeneland September. By Into Mischief, Wonder Wheel was
produced by the Tiz Wonderful mare Wonder Gal, a three-time stakes winner who
placed four times at Grade 1 level. One of those placings was in the Breeders'
Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), which Wonder Wheel will target next on Nov. 4.