Wondrwherecraigis may run next in Fire Plug
Michael Dubb, The Elkstone Group, Madaket Stables and Michael J. Caruso’s Grade 3 Bold Ruler Handicap winner Wondrwherecraigis scratched out of the $100,000 Gravesend in December at the Big A with a foot infection.
His next start may come quite a bit closer to home: in Laurel Park’s Fire Plug Stakes Jan. 29.
- Laurel Park picks and ponderings: December 8, 2024We provide full-card picks and analysis for this afternoon’s races at Laurel Park.
Since scratching out of the Gravesend, the 5-year-old Munnings gelding has posted a series of works at Laurel Park, including a five-eighths effort in 1:01 flat on January 14 over the Laurel Park main track. That was the third-fastest of 44 at the distance.
“He’s doing great. He’s been dodging snowflakes, but his health seems to be back to where we need it,” Russell said.
The consistent Wondrwherecraigis, who boasts a record of 10-6-1-1 with purse earnings of $347,640, earned a career-best 104 Beyer for his gate-to-wire score last out in the seven-furlong Bold Ruler which was contested over a sloppy and sealed main track on October 31.
Wondrwherecraigis was also first past the post in the Grade 3 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash at Laurel in September. However, he was disqualified and placed second after bumping with runner-up Jalen Journey.
Russell said Wondrwherecraigis, who is nominated to the seven-furlong Grade 3, $150,000 Toboggan on January 29 at Aqueduct, is likely to make his next start in the six-furlong $100,000 Fire Plug which was re-scheduled to January 29 at Laurel.
“We’re leaning towards the Laurel race because it’s three-quarters,” Russell said. “He hasn’t run since he was up there at the end of October, so we’re trying to keep it simple and keep him home.”
Russell said she is hoping Wondrwherecraigis will continue to develop in 2022.
“He’s a big, strong horse and he seems to be improving,” Russell said. “As long as we can keep him healthy and he continues to take to training like we’re giving it to him, I’d like to hope for bigger and better.”
Russell will send out the improving Gamestonks in Sunday’s $100,000 Busanda at Aqueduct, a nine-furlong test for sophomore fillies offering 10-4-2-1 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points to the top-four finishers. The Maryland-bred daughter of Blofeld, who is owned by Designated Hitters Racing, has won two of three career starts and is 8-1 on the morning line.
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