Mark Dedomenico’s Wonderlandbynight survived a claim of
foul by the jockey of runner-up Jordy Y to win the Grade III $100,000
Arlington-Washington Lassie by 2 ½ lengths on Saturday. The daughter of
Sky Mesa was bred by her trainer Mike Reavis. With E. T. Baird in the
irons, she covered the mile over Polytrack in 1:36.65.
The Lassie was the second straight stakes tally for the
Illinois-bred filly, who won the $150,000 Ontario Debutante over 6 ½ furlongs
at Woodbine in her last start. She picked up $55,200 for her Lassie score
to brink her career earnings to $176,418 while keeping her unbeaten record
intact in four trips to the post.
“I was not at all concerned (about stretching her out),”
said Baird. “Mike has brought her along real well. She’s a real versatile
filly. She can go to the lead if you want her to or she could come from just
about anywhere you want her to. It’s what makes her a good horse that’s she’s
so versatile.”
Jordy Y rallied from far back in the pack to finish
second. Her rider Junior Alvarado claimed foul against winner, alleging
interference in the stretch, but that objection was disallowed by the stewards.
“I don't have much excuse, she (Wonderlandbynight) did come
over just in front of me but he had a lot more horse,” Alvarado said a short
time later. “I would have finished second for sure, but you have to take
a chance. She was a little tired. It was a little long for her.”
Third Chance finished third in the 13-horse race, followed
through the wire by Honey Chile,
Miss Inclined, Crepe Myrtle, Summer Savory, Edie, Tellme All About it, One
Star, Larue Lovelake, Image of Grace and Songofthecity.
“She's just a very nice filly, if she has one more race she
probably wins it,” said jockey Shane Sellers, who rode Third Chance. “I
tried to sit off the speed; she's got speed, I was worried she wouldn't rate
but she rated good. I inherited the lead turning for home. I pretty much had to
go then. She maintained all the way to the wire, came back very tired
naturally, but she's a very nice filly.”
“She was getting out right from the start,” noted Michael
Baze, rider of Honey Chile
who was sent off as the 3-1 favorite. “I didn’t have any trouble, but she
kept wanting to make a right-hand turn which made it tough on me. It
probably made the difference between fourth and third for me.”
Wonderlandbynight paid $8.80, $4.80 and $3.60. Jordy
Y returned $5.60 and $4.20. Third Chance paid $4.20.