ESKENDEREYA (Giant’s Causeway), generally considered among the top two
candidates for the May 1 Kentucky Derby (G1), will have his final prep for the
big dance in Saturday’s $750,000
Wood
Memorial S. (G1) on a stakes-laden card at Aqueduct. The leading prospect
for trainer Todd Pletcher, who could conceivably have as many as seven or eight
entrants in the Run for the Roses, will again be piloted be piloted by John
Velazquez over one lap of the Big A’s 1 1/8-mile main oval.
Considered by most to have had the most impressive prep win of the season so
far, an 8 1/2-length demolition of his foes in the Fountain of Youth S. (G2) on
February 20, Eskendereya was kept out of the March 20 Florida Derby (G1) over
the same course and distance due to owner Ahmed Zayat’s preference for a final
prep closer in proximity to the Kentucky Derby, a decision not without a small
element of risk. With only $150,000 in graded earnings to date, an unexpectedly
poor effort in the Wood might leave Eskendereya on the outside looking in come
Derby time with few remaining opportunities to grab additional graded earnings.
In general, however, a truly bad performance by the favorite seems inconceivable
on paper.
The likely second choice in the wagering is AWESOME ACT (Awesome Again), who
invaded from England for trainer Jeremy Noseda to win the Gotham S. (G3) over
the inner dirt in impressive fashion. That was also the chestnut’s first
appearance on dirt after running exclusively on turf and synthetic previously.
He first came to attention on this side of the pond in the Breeders’ Cup
Juvenile Turf (G2) at Santa Anita, where he made a belated rally for fourth.
The other main players both wintered in Florida. JACKSON BEND (Hear No Evil)
has yet to equal his best BRIS Speed ratings from his juvenile campaign in two
starts for Nick Zito this season. Though he finished second in both the Holy
Bull S. (G3) and Fountain of Youth, the Florida-bred will have to elevate his
game and prove he wants to go farther than nine furlongs. SCHOOLYARD DREAMS
(Stephen Got Even) was re-routed to the Wood earlier in the week from Saturday’s
Illinois Derby (G3) at Hawthorne, where he might have gone favored. From the
same connections that campaigned dual classic-placed Musket Man last
season, the bay enters off runner-up finishes in the Sam F. Davis S. (G3) and
Tampa Bay Derby (G3), the latter in a bizarrely tight photo to Odysseus (Malibu
Moon).
The remaining two entrants are in deep. MOST HAPPY FELLA (Ecton Park), who
shares a name with the prominent Standardbred who won the Pacing Triple Crown in
1970, recently defeated New York-bred allowance/optional claiming foes while CARNIVORE (Giant’s
Causeway) enters fresh off a seven-length maiden win at Laurel.
The other graded stakes on the Wood Memorial undercard also attracted small
fields. Six will line up in the $250,000
Carter H.
(G1) over seven furlongs with favoritism likely to fall on MUNNINGS (Speightstown),
who seeks his first top-level success following Grade 2 scores in the Gulfstream
Park Sprint Championship, Tom Fool H. and Woody Stephens S. over the past two
seasons. The Pletcher charge has placed at the Grade 1 level five times since
his juvenile season, however, and carries top weight of 119 pounds because of
it.
The aforementioned MUSKET MAN (Yonaguska) made a successful return to the
races on February 6 when taking the Super S. at Tampa Bay Downs going
seven-eighths. Last year’s Illinois Derby (G2) and Tampa Bay Derby winner had
been idle since last May when third in both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness S.
(G1). DIGGER (Yonaguska), runner-up in the General George H. (G2) last time
following back-to-back wins in the Gravesend H. and Fire Plug S., appears
competitive on recent form as does the Grade 2-placed WARRIOR’S REWARD (Medaglia
d’Oro), who made a successful return in a February 11 allowance/optional claimer at Gulfstream.
ELUSIVE WARNING (Elusive Quality), a subpar fourth in the Toboggan S. (G3)
last out, is capable of better while DRIVEN BY SUCCESS (Precise End) will be a
longshot to improve on his third-place effort in the 2009 Carter.
EIGHTYFIVEINAFIFTY (Forest Camp), who turned heads with a sparkling 17
1/4-length maiden win over the inner dirt in January, will make a
highly-anticipated return to the track in the $200,000
Bay
Shore S. (G3) over seven furlongs. The sophomore was heavily favored in the
February 6 Whirlaway S. in his follow-up, but bolted around the clubhouse turn
after his bit broke in two and his bridle came loose. The colt required 14
stitches to repair cuts to his legs following that incident, but has been given
plenty of time to recover and looks the strongest in the field of seven.
Others of note are Fred “Cappy” Capossela S. winner CASTANEDA (Yonaguska);
RAYNICK’S JET (A. P Jet), an impressive winner of a state-bred allowance last
time; and the stakes-placed Californian HURRICANE IKE (Graeme Hall), who makes
his dirt debut for trainer John Sadler.