SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (July 17, 2019) – Wondrshegotthundr and Fernando De La Cruz reeled in their opponents to win the 11th running of the $100,000-added Ellen’s Lucky Star Stakes at Indiana Grand Wednesday, July 17. The three-year-old Indiana bred daughter of Graydar was making only her second career start for the win over a rain-soaked yielding turf course.
Starting from post seven in the nine-filly lineup, Wondrshegotthundr wasn’t able to get good positioning out of the starting gate and opted to follow along at the back of the pack as Moves Like Magic and John McKee set the early pace of the race. Discreet Beauty and Marcelino Pedroza Jr. also stayed close early on to keep the tempo lively through the first half of the race.
In the final turn, horses began to bunch up for the stretch drive and Wondrshegotthundr made a big move, which landed her in perfect position on the outside as the field straightened out in the stretch. De La Cruz joined Moves Like Magic and Beentheredonethat and Jack Gilligan in a three-way duel down the stretch. Wondrshegotthundr got the edge in the final strides to win by one-half length over Moves Like Magic, who was on the best end of a tight photo with Beentheredonethat for second.
“I was following the one (The Beauty’s Tale, Joe Ramos) and I was able to put her inside to save some ground,” said De La Cruz, who is a two-time leading jockey at Indiana Grand. “She was a little more relaxed today. In her first start, she got a little fired up, but I can tell she is maturing. She is a really nice Indiana bred that is getting better a little every day. Coming off the pace today was a good experience for her.”
Wondrshegotthundr is now two for two in her brief career. She boosted her career earnings tally to more than $80,000 with her win in the Ellen’s Lucky Star Stakes. Brad Cox trains the filly for Kelly Mitchell’s Bad Boy Racing LLC, who also serves as the breeder of Wondrshegotthundr.
“She (Wondrshegotthundr) got banged around a little out of the gate, so he (Fernando De La Cruz) just settled with her and saved some ground. It was only her second career start and her first on the turf, but the way she trains in the morning, I envisioned she would take to the turf. The only thing holding her back right now is racing experience. She will stay right here and be back for the First Lady Stakes in early August.”
Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing continues through Wednesday, Nov. 6. Racing is conducted Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 2:15 p.m. and Saturday at 6:15 p.m.
Indiana Grand Racing & Casino, which is owned and operated by a subsidiary of Caesars Entertainment Corporation (NASDAQ: CZR), holds multiple awards for customer service, entertainment, gaming, dining, and diversity. Located in Shelbyville, Ind., Indiana Grand features 2,200 of the latest slots and electronic table games in addition to a one-mile dirt racecourse and a seven-eighths mile turf course offering live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing each year. Simulcast wagering is also offered year-round at Winner’s Circle Brewpub & OTB located on the casino floor as well as a Winner’s Circle OTB located in Clarksville, Ind. For more information, please visit www.IndianaGrand.com. Must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing at racetracks and 21 or older to gamble at casinos. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT (1-800-994-8448) ©2019 Caesars License Company, LLC.
Photos by Coady Photography
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