By J.N. Campbell
MGISW Shedaresthedevil (Daredevil) broke her maiden at first asking under the Twin Spires by just over three lengths and that is how her younger 3-year-old half-brother Star of Wonder (Uncle Mo–Starship Warpspeed, by Congrats) tackled a sloppy Sunday afternoon at Churchill Downs. For his efforts, the homebred rose into the 'TDN Rising Star' heavens.
Well-backed as the 2-1 second choice here, he bided his time toward the back as the frontrunners set a hot pace of :22.65 for the first quarter mile and :45.35 for the initial half-mile. Keeping off the rail, Star of Wonder fanned wide around the far turn and ended up in the center of the course. Armed with a strong kick down the lane, the dark bay was full of run as the pace fell apart and he graduated over longshot Padiddle (Empire Maker).
The winner hails from an extended female family which includes GSW/MGISP Crafty C. T. (Crafty Prospector) and SW Laughing Boy (Distorted Humor). The Siena and WinStar-owned colt is not only related to $2.77-million earner and fellow Brad Cox trainee Shedaresthedevil, but he is also a half-sibling to Mojovation (Quality Road), GSP, $375,988.
Dam Starship Warpspeed is responsible for unraced Blackheartedgypsy (Speightster), who went to Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill Farm for $350,000 at the 2022 Keeneland November Sale while in foal to Authentic. Two months prior, Star of Wonder's 2-year-old younger full-sister, Lady Scuderia, brought the second highest return at the Keeneland September Sale when was taken home for $2.5 million by Resolute Racing's John Stewart. Last year, Starship Warpspeed produced a colt by Gun Runner and she once again visited Uncle Mo for this season.
Coolmore-based Uncle Mo counts Star of Wonder as his 17th 'TDN Rising Star' of his illustrious career.
8th-Churchill Downs, $121,125, Msw, 6-2, 3yo/up, 1m, 1:36.81, sy, 3 1/2 lengths.
STAR OF WONDER, c, 3, Uncle Mo
1st Dam: Starship Warpspeed, by Congrats
2nd Dam: Andria's Forest, by Forestry
3rd Dam: Andriana B., by Far North
Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $69,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O-Siena Farm LLC and WinStar Farm LLC; B-WinStar Farm, LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox.
The half-brother to Shedaresthedevil, #10 Star of Wonder wins impressively on debut in R8 at Churchill Downs under Flavien Prat for trainer @bradcoxracing! 🌟 @WinStarFarm @SienaFarmKY
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/vwLokuvzmI
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) June 2, 2024
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
