Stakes High for Social Inclusion in Wood Memorial
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Social Inclusion (above) dominated in his first two races and will try stakes competition for the first time on Saturday in the $1-million Wood Memorial Stakes at Aqueduct. (Photo by Leslie Martin/Gulfstream Park)
By Tom Pedulla, America’s Best Racing
Rarely is so much at stake for one horse in one race as it is for Social Inclusion in the 90th edition of the Wood Memorial Stakes on Saturday at Aqueduct.
The stakes only begin with the winner’s $600,000 share of the $1-million purse. They extend to a slot in the expected 20-horse field for the Kentucky Derby on May 3 if the Pioneerof the Nile colt finishes first or second. They still do not end there. It is expected that a strong showing will trigger a sale of a significant share in the horse that could be worth millions to Ron Sanchez, who knows that smart owners take things one step at a time.
A Wood victory would be worth 100 points according to the Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifying system that Churchill Downs implemented in 2013 for the first time. Second place carries 40 points, with either being considered more than enough to make the cut.
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“First, we’re going to focus on the Wood Memorial and get the points,” Sanchez said, “because if no points, no Derby.”
Sanchez and trainer Manny Azpurua initially targeted the Preakness Stakes before the horse convinced them otherwise. He faces a huge step up in class in the Wood after putting his abundant speed to excellent use at Florida’s Gulfstream Park. He romped by 7 ½ lengths in his debut on Feb. 22, zipping six furlongs in 1:09.35. He followed that by trouncing Remsen Stakes victor Honor Code by 10 lengths in an allowance race while setting a track record of 1:40.97 for the 1 1/16-mile contest. He earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 111 for the latter, the highest awarded any 3-year-old this season.
Jockey Luis Contreras will have to call on some of that speed early to ensure a good position after drawing the outside post position in a field of 11. Social Inclusion is the 2-to-1 morning-line favorite. Samraat, a New York-bred who is undefeated through five starts, will break from post eight and is rated at 7-to-2 on the morning line.
Although Samraat possesses speed to go with Social Inclusion, trainer Rick Violette hopes Jose Ortiz does not have to use it.
“If we’re going to break running and they give us the lead, it will be a controlling lead,” Violette said. “If someone else wants the lead, they’re welcome to it.”
Violette does not want a race so taxing that it compromises Samraat’s chances on the first Saturday in May. “There’s no question we want to win. It’s a $1 million race, it’s a Grade 1, it’s in our backyard,” he said. “Our objective is to run our ‘A’ race without leaving everything on the table, which is greedy.”
Samraat owns narrow victories against Uncle Sigh in the Withers and Gotham Stakes, both Grade 3 races.
SAMRAAT HOLDS OFF UNCLE SIGH IN GOTHAM
Photo by Eclipse Sportswire
Gary Contessa, trainer of Uncle Sigh, believes a better trip can make the difference against Samraat. He is not so sure what it will take to reel in Social Inclusion, or whether that can be done.
“Obviously, just like the rest of the world, I’ve been blown away by Social Inclusion and now I’m going to have to run against him,” Contessa said. “There’s a horse that could be any kind of horse. His numbers suggest that he could be any kind of horse, but he’s extremely untested.”
According to Sanchez, he already rejected an offer from overseas for $8 million for 75-percent of the horse. He purchased Social Inclusion for $60,000, saying that he was drawn to him by his easy stride and equally easy demeanor. He felt he had a bargain from the outset.
“It was love at first sight,” Sanchez said. “When I bought him, I told Manny, ‘Well, I think we have the Derby horse.’ ”
Social Inclusion is one big race away from proving that.
$1 million Twinspires.com Wood Memorial Stakes
Saturday, Aqueduct, Race 10, post time 5:40 p.m. ET
1 1/8 miles, 3-year-olds
Television: NBC Sports Network – 5:30 p.m. ET
Horse
Jockey
Weight
Trainer
1. Kid Cruz
SCRATCHED
SCRATCHED
SCRATCHED
2. Wicked Strong
Rajiv Maragh
123
Jimmy Jerkens
3. Noble Moon
Irad Ortiz Jr.
123
Leah Gyarmati
4. Harpoon
John Velazquez
123
Todd Pletcher
5. Los Borrachos
Cornelio Velasquez
123
Bill Mott
6. Kristo
Martin Garcia
123
John Sadler
7. Schivarelli
Javier Castellano
123
Eddie Kenneally
8. Samraat
Jose Ortiz
123
Rick Violette
9. Effinex
Rosario Montanez
123
David Smith
10. Uncle Sigh
Corey Nakatani
123
Gary Contessa
11. Social Inclusion
Luis Contreras
123
Manny Azpurua