Handicapping the 100th Wood Memorial

By Bob Hill
Tracksideview Feature Writer —-

Wood Memorial Selections

Aqueduct (G2) 1-1/8 miles on main track

Bob Hill, TSV staff writer

For the past two decades the stature of the Wood Memorial as a key
prep race for potential Kentucky Derby runners has been diminished.
Although the winner of the Wood Memorial has not won the Kentucky
Derby for the past quarter of a century, there was a time when many of
the top contenders exited this race. Secretariat, in fact, was
runner-up in 1973 before winning the Triple Crown.

The field for this edition of the Wood is competitive and features
runners with top connections and classic Derby-worthy pedigrees.
Betting for the race promises to be wide open with a variety of
options available to handicappers. To me, it is the best field in the
Wood in a number of years.

1 – Rodriguez (4-1): His two losses are to two West Coast rivals that
will run in the Santa Anita Derby on the same day as this race. One
of them most likely will be the ML favorite for the Derby pending the
outcome of that race. Rodriguez is the son of Derby winner Authentic
and is trained by the winningest Derby trainer of all time, Bob
Baffert. He has been on or near the lead in all four of his starts,
but the blinkers come off for the first time so we have to wonder if
Baffert intends for him to sit off the pace a bit here. Mike Smith
gets the call for Baffert. Definitely one of the ones.

2 – Captain Cook (4-1): Winner of the Withers Stakes on this track
back in February. Trainer Richard Dutrow chose to skip the G3 Gotham
and await this race. He’s pressed close up in his two wins so expect
him to try to do so again. Manny Franco keeps the mount as Dutrow
shoots for a return to glory at Churchill Downs. Another to be taken
veery seriously.

3 – Tiger Twenty Four (15-1): Broke his maiden on third try last out
on March 19th at Gulfstream Park. He’ll have to improve significantly
for trainer Bill Mott and jockey Jose Castellano. I do0n’t give him
much of a shot in this tough field.

4 – My Mitole (20-1): Finished fourth in the G3 Gotham, beaten eight
lengths for handler Carlos Martin. He’s a stalker who tries to strike
from mid-pack. The going will be much tougher here than in any race
he’s run to date.

5 – Sand Devil (8-1): NY-bred son of Violence was second in the G3
Gotham at very short odds. His preferred running style is to get to
the lead and try to take the field all the way from there. He’s on
his home track for a top NY handler, Linda Rice. Don’t overlook this
horse.

6 – Hill Road (6-1): Finished third in the G3 Tampa Bay Derby when
last seen. He was dead last before making a mild rally to hit the
board, trailing the winner by more than six lengths. I’d be surprised
if he did not improve, but I’d also be surprised to see him win this
race. Could get a piece.

7 – Grande (7-2): Tepid ML favorite for Todd Pletcher who at this
time does not have a for-certain Derby horse. The Repole-Pletcher
connection has become a Derby staple, and this lightly raced son of
Curlin could continue that trend. Dylan Davis gets aboard. Grande
will have to run faster than ever before to beat the best of these,
but many will support him. I see a piece perhaps but like others
better for top spot.

8 – Passion Rules (8-1): No Derby prep is complete without a Brad Cox
entry. Ships here from Oaklawn. Have to think the folks at Calumet
Farm who own him saw this as a better spot than the Arkansas Derby
would have been on short rest. He is undefeated, but this is much
taller cotton this time around. Small piece at best.

9 – Bear Claw Necklace (30-1): This Gulfstream-based runner from the
barn of Safie Joseph, Jr. owns one win in three tries, A MSW at seven
furlongs. Can’t support.

10 – McAfee (30-1): Dutrow’s other entry in this race, he finished a
well-beaten fifth in the G3 Gotham here last month. I cannot find an
angle to lead me to recommend him.

11 – Statesman (15-1): Took this son of Constitution four tries to
break his maiden, but once he did that he followed up his maiden win
with another in optional claiming company at Tampa Bay Downs. He’s a
closer who will appreciate that likely fast pace of this race to run
into. He could offer good value in the minor sports.

12 – Omaha Omaha (20-1): Was third behind Captain Cook in the Gotham
and third behind American Promise in the G3 Virginia Derby. He is a
dead closer so the outside draw should not hinder him. Will make one
long run from the back. Another who will offer long odds for a bottom
of ticket play.

Rain is in the forecast for Saturday in the New York area so wet
going is possible. With the amount of early speed entered here a
quick pace is likely. I’m going to take a shot with Rodriguez and
Captain Cook, but just in case the early pace is scorching (as the
case was in the Arkansas Derby) the tables will turn in the direction
of Hill Road and Omaha Omaha.

Selections: 1-2-7-12-6*

*If you see a pace meltdown I’d recommend 6-12-1-2-7