Fields Shaping Up for Wood Memorial Day
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Headed by grade I winner Daredevil, a field of promising 3-year-olds is taking shape for the $1 million Twinspires.com Wood Memorial (gr. I) April 4 at Aqueduct Racetrack.
The 1 1/8-mile Wood, Aqueduct's prep for the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), also features a trio of graded stakes on its undercard—the $400,000 Carter Handicap (gr. I), the $300,000 Gazelle (gr. II), and the $300,000 Bay Shore (gr. III).
Daredevil, a son of More Than Ready , broke his maiden at first asking in September at Belmont Park before capturing the Champagne (gr. I) in his second career start for trainer Todd Pletcher. After finishing 11th in the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) to close out his 2-year-old campaign, the chestnut colt rounded back into form in his sophomore debut, finishing second to Ready for Rye in the Swale (gr. II) at Gulfstream Park.
Pletcher is also likely to saddle Withers (gr. III) winner Far From Over. Owned by Black Rock Thoroughbreds, Far From Over overcame a disastrous start in the Withers to prevail by 1 3/4 lengths and remain undefeated.
El Kabeir, the colt Far From Over defeated in the Withers, is also probable for the Wood. A John Terranova trainee, El Kabeir has participated in all three local preps for the Wood, with his runner-up finish in the Withers sandwiched between wins in the Jerome and Gotham (both gr. III).
Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin is likely to have two entrants—Frosted and either Classy Class or Ocean Knight. Frosted has spent the winter in Florida, where he finished second in the Holy Bull (gr. II) at Gulfstream and fourth in the Fountain of Youth (gr. II). The Tapit colt is already acquainted with the track and configuration of the Wood. As a 2-year-old, the Godolphin color-bearer finished second in the 1 1/8-mile Remsen (gr. II) at Aqueduct.
Tencendur and Toasting Master are also probable for the race, while Unrivaled is under consideration for Team Valor International.
The seven-furlong Carter, for older runners, is likely to feature a showdown between The Big Beast, Dads Caps, and Clearly Now.
As a 3-year-old in 2014, The Big Beast made a name for himself at Saratoga Race Course, where he thrashed a first-level allowance field before taking the King's Bishop (gr. I) by a neck. The Tony Dutrow trainee was forced to hit the sidelines following the King's Bishop, but resurfaced March 1 at Oaklawn Park, promptly recovering his sophomore form with a 1 1/4-length score.
Last year's Carter winner, Dads Caps, has had the misfortune of facing world-class sprinter Salutos Amigos on three separate occasions this winter. In his past two starts, the son of Discreet Cat has finished second in the Toboggan and Tom Fool Handicap (both gr. III), each time behind Salutos Amigos.
Trained by Brian Lynch for Uphill Stable, Clearly Now has not run since finishing eighth in the Forego (gr. I) in late August at Saratoga. One start prior, the son of Horse Greeley set a track record at Belmont, blitzing seven furlongs in 1:19.96 in the Belmont Sprint Championship (gr. III).
The winner of the General George Handicap (gr. III) Feb. 16 at Laurel Park, Misconnect, is also probable for the Carter, while multiple grade I winner Palace, Dream Saturday, and Wild Dude are possible.
Grade I winner Condo Commando, for owner Michael Dubb, is likely to headline the 1 1/8-mile Gazelle, the local precursor to the Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I).
A daughter of Tiz Wonderful, Condo Commando debuted in a $75,000 maiden claiming race last summer at the Spa, which she won by 12 lengths. Jumping way up in class for her next start, the grade I Spinaway at Saratoga, Condo Commando was equally dazzling, splashing home to a 13 1/4-length triumph over a waterlogged main track. After a fourth-place finish in the Frizette (gr. I), the dark bay or brown filly closed out her juvenile year with a win in the Demoiselle (gr. II) at Aqueduct.
On Feb. 22, Condo Commando made her 3-year-old debut over Aqueduct's inner track, taking the Busher Stakes by 4 3/4 lengths.
The third-place finisher from the 14 Hands Winery Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I), Wonder Gal is probable for the Gazelle for trainer Leah Gyarmati and Treadway Racing Stable. The dark bay or brown filly has not run since the Juvenile Fillies Nov. 1.
Also likely for the race are Noble and a Beauty, winner of the six-furlong Cicada Stakes March 15 at Aqueduct. Money'soncharlotte. Jacaranda, Puca, and Sweet Corine are possible.
A strong field is lining up for the seven-furlong Bay Shore for 3-year-old sprinters, led by Chalk Racing's Ready for Rye, who vanquished Daredevil by 2 3/4 lengths in the seven-furlong Swale March 7 at Gulfstream Park in his most recent outing.
Others probable for the race include Ackeret, Easy to Say, Lord Nelson, and Majestic Affair. Additionally, trainer Mike Hushion and John Nerud are likely to team up with Final Chapter, a New York-bred who has won two straight at Aqueduct.