Brooklyn Strong Breezes for Wood Memorial
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Chelsea Durand
Brooklyn Strong wins the 2020 Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack
Brooklyn Strong missed the March 6 Gotham Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct Racetrack after a minor illness and lack of works due to inclement weather at his Parx Racing base, but trainer Daniel Velazquez has the New York-bred owned by Mark Schwartz on target for the Wood Memorial Presented by Resorts World Casino (G2) April 3 at the Big A.
On March 13 the Wicked Strong gelding posted his third breeze since Feb. 26, covering five furlongs in 1:01.13 at Parx.
Velazquez was not on hand for the breeze after incurring a lacerated liver and torn bicep earlier Saturday morning in a training accident at the Bensalem, Pa., oval. The conditioner said he expects to be released from the hospital later Sunday evening.
"He went by himself from the pole. Hopefully, we can hit one work a week up to the Wood," Velazquez said of Brooklyn Strong's breeze.
Brooklyn Strong won at the Wood Memorial's 1 1/8-mile distance in his last start, the Remsen Stakes (G2) Dec. 5 at Aqueduct, where he bested pacesetter Ten for Ten by a neck to garner 10 qualifying points for the May 1 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1). The Wood Memorial offers points on a 100-40-20-10 scale.
"We know he can get the nine furlongs, I just want to make sure that he's ready," Velazquez said. "We have another three weeks before the Wood and if we can get all the works in without interruption, I know we'll be ready."