NATIONAL ROUNDUP : Go For Wand Wins the Mother Goose

Go For Wand, last year’s champion 2-year-old filly, atoned for her defeat in the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs last month by winning the $227,600 Mother Goose Stakes at Belmont Park Sunday.

Go For Wand, ridden by Randy Romero, covered 1 1/8 miles over a fast track in 1:48 4/5, the fastest Mother Goose since Life’s Magic’s in 1984.

Charon, ridden by Craig Perrett, 1 1/4 lengths back in second, 4 1/4 lengths ahead of Stella Madrid in the field of six, all carrying 121 pounds. Stella Madrid, ridden by Angel Cordero Jr.

Bright Candles, who was coupled with Stella Madrid in the betting, was fourth and was followed by Danzig’s Beauty and Dance Colony.

The victory was the third in four starts this year for Go For Wand, the Pennsylvania-bred daughter of Deputy Minister. She won $136,560, bringing her earnings to $932,878.

Stella Madrid led through the first seven furlongs with Go For Wand stalking her. As they turned into the stretch, Go For Wand came even with the leader and moved away to a clear lead in midstretch.

Go For Wand returned $3.60, $2.40 and $2.10.

Primal scored his fourth stakes victory of the year, winning the $54,700 Coral Springs Handicap at Calder Race Course by 5 1/2 lengths.

Ridden by Heberto Castillo Jr., Primal was timed in 1:45 4/5 for the 1 1/8 miles and paid $3, $2.60 and $2.40.

Primal, a 5-year-old gelding, has earned $930,875 in 36 lifetime starts.