She's a Wonder outlasts rivals
Published:Sunday | May 2, 2021 | 12:23 AMAinsley Walters/Sunday Gleaner Writer
SHE'S A WONDER lasted home by three-quarter length ahead of improving 10-1 outsider, SENSATIONAL ENDING, in yesterday's 'Portmore', a fillies-only graded event for three-year-olds.
A 10-length winner of the April 7 Thornbird Stakes, SHE'S A WONDER ran a spooky race, outmuscling Reyan Lewis to streak into a five-length lead shortly after the start of the seven-and-a-half furlong event, contrary to the relaxed manner of her last victory.
Carrying a topweight of 126lb and running like a scared hare, SHE'S A WONDER set splits of 23.3, 34.3 and 46.2 and 59.1 to straighten ahead of SECRET IDENTITY and SENSATIONAL ENDING being ridden to keep pace.
The pace and weight their took toll on SHE'S A WONDER inside the last furlong, after ripping 1:11.3 for the first six, resulting in her slowing, allowing SENSATIONAL ENDING and SECRET IDENTITY, 115 and 119lb, respectively, to gain as she approached the post.
Trainer Ian Parsard afterwards confirmed railbird talk that the speedy filly, favourite for June's 1000 Guineas at a mile, had a spill on the track prior to exercise last Sunday, which caused that workout to have been aborted.
She, however, returned on Tuesday to gallop an easy six, 1:18.3, heading into yesterday's event.
Co-champion jockeys, Dane Nelson and Anthony Thomas, rode two winners apiece on the 10-race card to remain as they were, separated by one win, atop the jockeys' standings, 38-37.
Thomas maintained his slender lead with victories in the third and ninth, aboard JAMALJAMES and CARTEL, respectively, both for Gregory Forsyth.
Nelson scored astride Spencer Chung's ROSES FOR ELLE in the fifth and ACERO, the second of back-to-back winners for champion and leading trainer, Anthony Nunes.
Racing continues next Saturday.