Wonder Wheel

Wonder Wheel, a dark bay or brown Into Mischief filly, won her first two career starts at Churchill Downs in eye-catching fashion during the 2022 spring-summer meet. She took a 5 ½-furlong maiden race by 2 ¼ lengths on June 3 and then romped by 6 ¾ lengths in the six-furlong Debutante Stakes July 4 for trainer Mark Casse.

Shipped to Saratoga for the Grade 1 Spinaway Stakes on Sept. 4, Wonder Wheel ran well as the 1.45-1 favorite but was second best in the seven-furlong test to Leave No Trace. Casse brought the filly back to Kentucky and pointed her to the $500,000, Grade 1 Darley Alcibiades Stakes Oct. 7 at Keeneland, a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the NetJets Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies held at 1 1/16 miles.

Regular rider Tyler Gaffalione rode Wonder Wheel aggressively from her inside post and she assumed the lead in the first turn. Wonder Wheel stayed in front thereafter, and was all out to hold off Chop Chop by a nose at the finish to pass her first test at two turns and earn the automatic berth to the Juvenile Fillies back at Keeneland on Nov. 4.

In the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies on Friday, Nov. 4, Wonder Wheel cashed in with the fourth win in her five career starts, winning the Grade 1 $2 million race by three lengths after a strong closing move from near the back of the pack.  Wonder Wheel ran the 1 1/16 miles in a time of 1:44.90 under Tyler Gaffalione. He paid $15.00 to win as the fourth wagering choice on the toe board.

Wonder Wheel was purchased by Leonard Green’s D. J. Stable for $275,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September yearling sale. She is out of the multiple stakes-winning Tiz Wonderful mare Wonder Gal, who also finished second twice and third twice in Grade 1 stakes.