Wonderwherecraigis continued his victory on January 29 at Laurel Parkshorten 3 3/4 of the length to win $100,000 in Fire Plugs on Winter’s Day.
The six-feathered contest is a 5-year-old child Munnings gelding’s fourth win in his last five games, with his only loss coming from disqualification for interference.
Discarded by Jevian Toledo, Wondrwherecraigis took the lead from the start and set the fractions as: 22.52 and: 45.98. He drew to win by 3 3/4 of the length, completing the distance on the fast track with a ratio of 1: 10.71. Brittany Russell intern paid $3.20 for a $2 winning ticket as favorites.
Winning puts Russell at ease after the trainer notices success against the slower horses on the card.
“Watching the races today, we were overthinking it a little bit,” she said. “At the end of the day, if you’ve got the best horse, you have to go.”
The youngest of 5 people chasing speed to finish second for a long time Shackqueenking in part three.
Russell says she’s worried about Wonderwherecraigis’ feet due to the cold weather making shoe shine difficult, adding a race schedule for December has been canceled in anticipation of the Fire Plug.
“I’ve been very nervous all week,” Russell said. “My blacksmith was the first phone call I made (after the race). I said ‘I don’t know how you got this horse here today.’ Surprised.
“It’s been a week trying to get him here. The way he runs today, we’ll enjoy that for now.”
Wondrwherecraigis raked in $407.640 from a 7-1-1 record in 11 startups for owners Michael Dubb, The Elkstone Group, Madaket Stables and Bethlehem Stables. Fire Plug is his first race since entering the Bold Ruler Handicap (G3) on October 31 at Belmont Park. On September 18 in Laurel, he was placed second in management in the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash Stakes (G3) after an investigation, leaving Jalen’s Journey to switch to first. That effort follows the victory in The Tale of Cats August 13 at Racecourse Saratoga and optional claimants July 18 at Pimlico racetrack.
He was purchased for $67,000 by Timber Stables from a Taylor Made Sales Agency shipment at the September 2018 Sale in Keeneland. He was contracted by ELiTE to participate in the June 2020 Keeneland Online Era Horse Select Digital Car Sale but failed to meet the $210,000 reserve.
Fleur de Lis Stables bred Wondrwherecraigis in Kentucky since Giant high riser mare Social killer . Gelding is the only start of four ponies coming out of his dam, including a 2-year-old Mineshaft dirty and longing Take Charge Indy dirty. The social killer was bred to be Can’t improve in 2022. It last sold for $80,000 for Two Hearts Farm II in Taylor Made batches at the November 2020 Seed Sale in Keeneland.
Videotapes: S. (BT) fire plug
The Fire Plug is one of six stakes at Laurel Saturday. On the card, Elizabeth Merryman’s Pennsylvania’s homebred Witty increase 7 3/4 length in the Spectacular $100,000 Bet for 3-year-olds. Ridden by Carol Cedeno, Great idea gelding completed seven pieces of content in 1:25.38. He was coached by McLane Hendriks and took his win to three in the fourth start.
Videotapes: Spectacular bid S. (BT)
Three Diamonds Farm’s Limited time hit her first bet with a 1/4 length win in the $100,000 What A Summer Stakes prize. Trained by Mike Maker and piloted by Victor Carrasco, a 5-year-old boy Bustin’s Stone New York-bred mares ran six feathers for the old mares and mares in a ratio of 1:11.39.
Videotapes: What A Summer S. (BT)
Deborah Greene and Coach Hamilton Smith’s Luna Belle gave the best to sophomores with six lengths in $100,000 worth of Xtra Thermal Stock. The Great Notion bred by Maryland raced six feathers in 1:12.03. Denis Araujo was in the iron.
Videotapes: Xtra Thermal S. (BT)
Hillwood Stable’s Wire loom won a third straight bet at Laurel in the $75,000 Jennings Stakes, a one-mile race for older horses mated or desired in Maryland. 7 year old kid Curlin gelding won by neck at the hands of Carrasco to head in 1:39.70. He is coached by Rodney Jenkins.
Videotapes: Jennings S. (BT)
In the $75,000 Geisha Shares, a mile is for old mares and mares bred or desired in Maryland, Three Diamonds Farm’s Kiss a girl tie to win by 4 1/2 length. Carrasco on the train 5 years old Into Mischief mare for trainer Mike Trombetta. Her last time was 1:40.69.
Videotapes: Geisha S. (BT)
