Fun and Feisty, Wonder Wheel highlight 14 in Alcibiades

Oct 04, 2022 James Scully/TwinSpires.com

Churchill Downs stakes winners Fun and Feisty and Wonder
Wheel are top contenders in Friday’s $500,000 Alcibiades (G1) at Keeneland.

A Road to the Kentucky Oaks qualifier awarding points on a
10-4-3-2-1 basis to the top five finishers, the 1 1/16-mile Alcibiades will
also guarantee a Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) berth as a “Win & You’re
In” race.

Fun and Feisty brings a serious late kick, overcoming a slow
pace in the Sept. 17 Pocahontas (G3) by circling rivals on the far turn and
powering away to a 3 1/2-length decision. A more favorable setup appears likely
in the Alcibiades, and the Kenny McPeek-trained daughter of Midshipman will look
to take advantage with Julien Leparoux.

Wonder Wheel opened her racing career with a pair of sharp
wins, including a 6 3/4-length tally in the Debutante S. under the Twin Spires
during the spring meet, and the Into Mischief filly will stretch to two turns
following a closing second in the seven-furlong Spinaway (G1) at Saratoga on
Sept. 4. Tyler Gaffalione rides for Mark Casse.

Spinaway third Kaling,
a convincing debut winner at Saratoga in late July, merits serious respect for Hall
of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher. John Velazquez has the call. Schuylerville (G3)
winner Just Cindy, sixth in the
Spinaway, will look to rebound for Eddie Kenneally. Luis Saez retains the
mount.

Chop Chop,
unbeaten from a pair of turf starts, will try the main track for Brad Cox after
prevailing in the Sept. 3 Juvenile Fillies at Kentucky Downs. And while there’s
no comparison to be made yet, it’s interesting to note that two-time champion Monomoy
Girl won her first two starts on turf for Cox before capturing the Rags to Riches
S. in her first dirt attempt.

Last-out maiden winners Essaouira,
Infinite Diamond, Raging Sea, Stellar Lady, Take Charge
Briana, and Xigera are also
entered.