Bourbonic, Dynamic One Exit Wood Memorial in Good Order

Todd Pletcher's respective Wood Memorial Stakes Presented by Resorts World Casino (G2) first- and second-place finishers Bourbonic  and Dynamic One  were both in good order the morning after their April 3 race, the trainer's New York-based assistant Byron Hughes said.

Calumet Farm homebred Bourbonic closed from last under Kendrick Carmouche to score a 72-1 upset over his 15-1 stablemate in the Aqueduct Racetrack feature, adding their names to Pletcher's list of Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) contenders.

"It was a very patient ride," said Hughes. "That track often plays to frontrunners or horses closer to the pace. Yesterday, it was playing fair and there were some closers. He waited as long as he could and made one run and it paid off."

While many of the Pletcher-trained Kentucky Derby hopefuls wintered at Palm Beach Downs in Florida, Bourbonic remained with Hughes in New York. Hughes said the added distance was beneficial for the improving dark bay.

"We always thought he wanted more distance and two turns is something he needed," said Hughes. "It was a good day for the team. He's been a forward training horse here. He loves to train and it's been great to have him up here this winter."

As for Repole Stable, Phipps Stable, and St. Elias Stable's Dynamic One, Hughes said: "He ran a game race. I was looking at the Trakus this morning and he actually ran 43 feet more than Bourbonic did. It was a game race and we were happy with his effort."

Hughes said he was pleased with how both horses appeared April 4.

"They both look good. They both ate up last night and are walking around here this morning with a purpose," said Hughes.

Hughes said the barn is excited at their prospects for the Kentucky Derby. They currently have four contenders on the leaderboard, including March 27 Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa (G1) winner Known Agenda  (fourth on the leaderboard with 102 points), Bourbonic (seventh, 100), Dynamic One (18th, 40), and March 27 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) runner-up Sainthood  (20th, 40). 

"It's exciting. We went from not having any to having four in two weekends," said Hughes. "These last shots paid off and the barn is excited for the Derby. All the hard work getting here at 4:30 in the morning, it pays off for everybody."

Trainer Chad Brown saddled a pair of Klaravich Stables runners in the Wood Memorial. Crowded Trade  rallied from eighth to finish third, while favored Risk Taking  bobbled at the start and finished seventh.

"He tried and ran well," said Brown assistant Dan Stupp regarding Crowded Trade. "Everyone is fine this morning. We'll see what Chad wants to do moving forward with them." 

Klaravich Stables did come out on top Saturday with the unbeaten filly Search Results  in the Gazelle Stakes (G3), a prep for the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1).

"She looks great this morning," said Stupp. "She ran well yesterday and she still has room to move forward. She certainly handled the distance (1 1/8 miles) well."

Frank Fletcher Racing Operations' Candy Man Rocket  faded to ninth in the Wood Memorial after an early stalking trip. 

"The track was a little deep for him. He sat close easily and (jockey) Junior (Alvarado) said he asked him a little at the three-eighths pole and he gave him a run to the quarter pole," said trainer Bill Mott's New York-based assistant Leana Willaford. "He came out of it fine this morning. I think we just need to shorten him up. He looks like more of a one-turn type of horse."

Grade 1 Races in Play for Joseph Trainees

Cash is King and LC Racing's Mischevious Alex  broke though at the top level with a 5 1/2-length win under Irad Ortiz Jr. in the Carter Handicap (G1) Saturday at Aqueduct. 

"Irad gave him a perfect trip. He showed his true class at the quarter pole when he gave a strong kick and went away from everybody," said Sabine Langvad, assistant to trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. "I thought he was super impressive and showed that he's a grade 1 horse."

Mischevious Alex could target the June 5 Metropolitan Handicap (G1) at Belmont Park with connections indicating Saturday that a pair of grade 1 sprints at Saratoga Race Course—the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (G1) and Forego Stakes (G1)—are very much in play. 

A grade 1 race in New York could also be in order for Slam Dunk Racing, Madaket Stables, Wonder Stables, and Michael Nentwig's Drain the Clock , who cut back in distance to win the seven-furlong Bay Shore Stakes (G3).

Drain the Clock was previously second around two turns in the Feb. 27 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at his Gulfstream Park base.

"He's still maturing. It's his first time in a new place and it wasn't terrible. He still broke well and I think with experience he will get better," said Langvad. "He did well in the Fountain of Youth running second behind Greatest Honour . If they wanted to, they could have pushed him to go that distance but it seems his specialty is going seven eighths and especially one turn. Their decision was to focus on what seems to be his strength. He's shown he belongs in graded races. Hopefully, some big tasks ahead for him."

Joseph said Saturday the June 5 Woody Stephens Stakes (G1) at Belmont or the Aug. 28 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes (G1) at Saratoga are long-term goals for Drain the Clock.

Mischevious Alex and Drain the Clock are scheduled to ship back to Florida April 5.

Targets Mapped for Mott Winners

Mott did come away with graded success over the weekend at Aqueduct with Pam and Martin Wygod's Modernist  taking the Excelsior Stakes (G3) in his second race off an eight-month layoff and WinStar Stablemates Racing's Paris Lights  recording a victory in the April 2 Distaff Handicap (G3) in her first start since July.

"He's doing good this morning," Willaford said of Modernist. "The last couple races last year, he was looking like he was ready for a break and he got one. It obviously helped him. He came back to me here much more mature physically and mentally. I thought he looked great going into the race."

A possible target for Modernist would be the June 5 Brooklyn Stakes (G2) at Belmont.

Paris Lights ran her win streak to four in her first start since taking the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) last summer at Saratoga.

"She ran great," said Willaford. "She was sitting a little closer than I imagined she would, but it was good that she did because that filly (runner-up Portal Creek ) got away with some slow fractions, too."

Paris Lights is likely to target the April 30 La Troienne Stakes (G1) at Churchill Downs.