Tuesday, May 30, 2023
It came down to the wire, but Wonderfull Lady finished victoriously in the third race on the card at Churchill Downs on Monday, May 29th. The three year old filly by Almanzor (FR) out of Tender Night was purchased in part in the fall of 2022 by Runnymede Farm and Boston friends, Alternative Investment Strategies. Arriving from France in November, Wonderfull Lady took some time off before going into training with Brendan Walsh. After a few months of preparation, Wonderfull Lady made her first U.S. start in a one and one eighth mile allowance race at Keeneland on April 14th. It was definitely a learning experience for her, having to acclimate to the competitive nature of racing in the United States. Getting jostled by a rival to her inside in the turn for home, and then being bumped into a foe on her outside during the final stretch, the filly backed off the pace, not making a major bid for the win. Finishing sixth out of the field of eleven. After the race, Runnymede Farm President, Romain Malhouitre noted "She's going to win her next race".
The filly went back into training with Walsh and prepared for her next start. On Monday, Wonderfull Lady broke from post three out of a field of ten for an allowance optional claiming race at Churchill with Vincent Cheminaud in the saddle. The filly saved major ground off the pace and made her way to the inside, briefly leaving the rail when entering the lane before shifting back in and keeping the rail. Wonderfull Lady and Cheminaud rallied to bid for home after the final turn finishing in the lead by 3/4 of a length. What a "Wonderfull" finish!