Wicked Strong Boosts Jerkens’ Kentucky Derby Hopes

Wicked Strong made a big splash when he won the Wood Memorial over some highly regarded horses (Photo by Eclipse Sportswire).
By Tom Pedulla, America’s Best Racing
JAMAICA, N.Y. – Trainer Jimmy Jerkens appeared to be reaching for something that might not be there when he entered Wicked Strong in the $1 million Wood Memorial Stakes.
The youngster had not shown much since finishing third in the Grade 2 Remsen Stakes last November at Aqueduct. He was dusted by 15 ¾ lengths when he struggled home ninth in the Grade 2 Holy Bull Stakes in his 3-year-old debut at Gulfstream Park. He then ran a lackluster fourth in an allowance race at Gulfstream on Feb. 22, 6 1/2 lengths behind Constitution.
Jerkens recalled a lesson from his father, Hall of Fame trainer Allen Jerkens, in deciding to take a shot in the Wood. Allen is still celebrated as the “Giant Killer” for his penchant for upsetting seemingly unbeatable stars such as Kelso in the 1960s and Secretariat in the 1970s.
“He [doesn’t] believe in conceding races to anybody,” the younger Jerkens said.
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Wicked Strong, sent off at 9.20-to-1 odds, rewarded the confidence of his connections with a startling 3 ½-length victory against previously undefeated Samraat in the Wood on Saturday at Aqueduct. Social Inclusion, asked to press the pace after being sent from outside post in a 10-horse field, weakened to third.
Jerkens never lost faith in the Hard Spun colt, who was purchased for $375,000 at the 2012 Keeneland September yearling sale on behalf of Centennial Farms. He raced midpack before unleashing a powerful closing kick for jockey Rajiv Maragh. They completed the 1 1/8-mile Wood in 1:49.31.
“I thought he was training well enough in Florida,” the trainer said. “But he didn’t show up in the afternoon for some reason.”
Jerkens looked to have a prime Derby contender with Florida Derby victor Quality Road in 2009. The Road to the Derby proved to be too perilous, though. Jerkens called it a “disaster” as he noted how difficult it was to deal with Quality Road’s troublesome feet. No sooner had a quarter crack in his right hind foot healed than he developed the same issue in the right front.
Quality Road never made it to the starting gate for the opening leg of the Triple Crown.
Not surprisingly, Jerkens is prepared to take his chances once more.
“I never worry about the opponent,” he said. “I love how he’s doing.”
Richard Violette Jr., trainer of Samraat, was not discouraged by his New York-bred’s first defeat in six starts after he challenged Social Inclusion early.
“How can you be frustrated? This was a valiant effort. This was a super effort,” Violette said.
Social Inclusion, after sweeping his first two starts by a combined margin of 17 ½ lengths, appeared to be worked up in the post parade, kicking his back heels. Jockey Luis Contreras did not think the Wood’s 1 1/8-mile distance was an issue.
“He can run all day. I don’t think he had problems with the distance,” he said. “I had so much horse before the quarter pole. I tried to open up and he just kind of ran flat.”
Road to the Kenutcky Derby Leaderboard
In graded stakes races on the undercard:
Carter Handicap (Grade 1): Dads Caps, second in each of his last three starts, produced a strong, front-running effort and held off late-running Sahara Sky by 1 ½ lengths. Dan Ward, assistant to Jerry Hollendorfer, trainer of West Coast-based Sahara Sky, noted the lack of pace in the seven-furlong Carter and that the runner-up spotted the winner eight pounds. The Metropolitan Mile, won by Sahara Sky last year, is again on his schedule.
Gazelle Stakes (Grade 2): My Miss Sophia could not have been more impressive in her first stakes try for trainer Todd Pletcher, blazing on the front end to dominate by 7 ¼ lengths against stablemate Got Lucky. My Miss Sophia, unraced at 2, extended her unbeaten career record to 3-for-3, with jockey Javier Castellano aboard each time. “I was the only speed and I took advantage of it. She was able to relax,” Castellano said. “I was really impressed because she had only been shorter distances and today we stretched her out to a mile and an eighth. I think she improved and I like the way she did it.”
Pletcher intends to send both fillies on to the Kentucky Oaks.
MY MISS SOPHIA IS ON HER WAY TO THE OAKS AFTER TODAY'S VICTORY

Photo by NYRA/Coglinese Photos
Bay Shore Stakes (Grade 3): Coup de Grace, checked on the final turn when he finished a distant 10th in the Grade 2 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 25, rebounded to take this seven-furlong race under Castellano. They benefitted from a strong early pace as Castellano worked out a stalking trip.
“He didn’t break that sharply and it worked out great for me,” Castellano said. “I was able to relax behind the horses. He finished very strong.”