The GO FOR WAND was previously run as The Maskette. The race is named for Mrs. Harry Lunger’s homebred daughter of Deputy Minister. As a two-year-old, Go for Wand went 3-for-4, including a victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Gulfstream, en route to the two-year-old filly championship of 1989. As a three-year-old, she was an impressive 7-for-9, including victories in the Mother Goose, Maskette, and Beldame at Belmont Park, and the Test and Alabama at Saratoga. She was sent off as the 7-10 favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, run at Belmont Park that year. She and Bayakoa went head-to-head most of the way, until tragedy struck when Go for Wand’s right ankle shattered in the home stretch. She was euthanized on the track and buried the next day in the infield at Saratoga. For her gallant efforts that year, she was named three-year-old filly champion.

The MASKETTE was run at Aqueduct in l959, l960, and from l962 to l968. Run in two divisions in l976. Run as a handicap prior to 1979. In l974, Desert Vixen finished first, but was later disqualified from purse money. From 1954 to 1993, the distance was one mile, with the exception of 1982, when it was run at seven furlongs. Beginning with 1994, the Go for Wand has been run at Saratoga Race Course at the distance of a mile and an eighth.