The Wood Memorial – Grade II [KYD]
 AQU Race #6 1 1/8m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $750.000 For Three Year Olds.

1 Canine Rule            Alydar Stables          Castellano J J

Took his maiden at the end of last year and then carried that improvement through to a win in the Winfield in January. Upped in grade to the Gotham in an attempt to get on the KYD trail he managed to stalk the early lead but fell apart in the run for home ending up an distant eleventh. I think ultimately he is better than that and his works suggest that fact but i am not sure he has shown enough to be a contender. Having said that another decent draw and an open race so you cannot write him off completely.

2 Tko             Fractious            Saenz D

The winner of the Best Pal as a juvenile he ran against the top grade all through the Autumn and did pretty well considering he never seems to catch a break from the draw monster. He took advantage of a mid-pack draw to win the TAM Derby by an impressive two lengths last time out and gets the perfect draw today so we may just see the emergence of a super horse.

3 [Rename1605]             Aer Stables            Carrasco V R

The stable has been doing very well in recent years with their TC horses and whilst this one isn’t the best in the barn he certainly has enough ability to be part of the finish. A game second in the Battaglia Memorial last time he should see out the trip OK but i would be surprised if he had enough class to beat the top two or three here.

4 Debunking Szn           Mb Stables               Ortiz I Jr

He was coming along nicely in state bred races before tackling the Gotham last time and failing badly. The stable can afford to have one more throw at the stumps here and he has since recorded a sub 1.37 work so it would be foolish to write his chances off with that one bad run. I don’t see a winner here but the form book is all over the place with so many changes to the race engine so taking out that last run and with that strong work who knows he could be yet another qualifier for HRP’s Shiek.

5 Locamotive              Aer Stables             McCarthy T

This is probably the serious chance from the stable but he does have a little to find on his fourth in the TAM Derby. Already a grade one winner in last years Hopeful Stakes he started of the year with a bang by taking the Holy Bull and was made favorite for the TAM Derby in his last start. Drawn out a bit he tried his usual stalk but didn’t finish the race of as well and ended up fourth. I can’t see how he can turn the tables on Tko but stranger things have happened.

6 Dream State         Mb Stables              Lanerie C J

A far more serious hope for the stable he was third in the BC Juvenile Turf last year suggesting that surface was going to be his fortay. Of course the surface doesn’t mean as much at HRP and Mb’s focus is on the TC at this time of year so he was switched to dirt and ran pretty well to be fourth in the Gotham last time out. His works are good of course he has the stables benchmark 1.36 and 4 mile work to be considered here and a good enough draw to make his presence felt.

7 Doctors Order        Crocker Ggs          Saez L

Beaten in both the Holy Bull and The Gotham it has to be said he has had some rough treatment from the draw monster recently and i think he is far better than his last two efforts. His last and only win came with a front running performance and his last three runs have been as a closer so in true gaming fashion if the trainer or the race engine can get him on or near the pace early on he may just surprise them

8 Patriot           Mo Mentum Farm         Pimentel J

Bought from Aer Stables as an outside TC prospect he gets his chance today to prove that an astute investment. He was pretty game in the Runyon last time getting home by a nose and has put together consistently high speed figures suggesting a win at better levels is possible. The draw is tough so he will need some luck but this is an honest sort who will run to the line.

9 Mahogany Storm              Smokey Stover Rosario J

Another that campaigned on turf only to be switched to dirt for the chance of TC glory he is already a dual graded stakes winner and did well enough in the Fountain Of Youth to suggest he can run pretty well on dirt. A 1.36 and 3 mile work put him among the best workers in the field and he won the Kittens Joy from this draw so that shouldn’t hold any fears. Lots of ticks in boxes so put this one on the short list.

10 Creep Away            Arindel           Court J K

Another 1.36 and 3 worker his success has come over sprint trips but we all know that doesn’t mean too much at HRP. Claimed for peanuts at the end of the year i can’t see him winning on exposed form and from this draw but the fact that Arindel has the midas touch at the moment says to me to be very wary about him at odds.

11 Hard To Forgive          D J C Racing Stables           Alvarado J

The trainers luck hasn’t been on his side so far this year so he decided to try buying some luck with this one who has generated plenty of sales tax for HRP. Bought by Aer for $590 he ran third in the Swale and then fifth in the Fountain Of Youth before this trainer bought him for $450 he faces a stiff task from the draw to change the trainers fortunes. He certainly has the ability though and must be rated among the better chances.

12 Counterintelligence            Mo Mentum Farm            Rodriguez A R

Went from hero to zero after winning the San Vincente Stakes and then trailing in a distant tenth in the San Felipe. The draw may well have ruined his chances in the San Felipe but his draw is very similar here and it will be tough for him to change his fortune. Of course so much will rely on what sort of run he is allowed by the race engine so all i can say is a decent run and he could get into the finish, a poor run and he will be towards the back.

13 Smokin Luka            Mb Stables               Ortiz J L

He would have to be the first choice but the wide draw wont make it such an easy decision. The winner of the Champagne last year and a fine third in the BC Juvenile he spent a couple of races in the wilderness before bouncing back to his best to win The Rebel last time. His trainer and supporters will be buoyed by the fact that that win also came from a wide draw and i would imagine on the strength of that win and his trainers unbelievable record in these TC qualifiers he will start favorite to win here.

14 Pier Pressure              Gdp Inc               Moran D

Gdp Inc goes for a hail mary here and gets the car park as his reward. A good maiden winner on the turf last year i liked the way he won an optional claimer on the dirt last time and his works certainly suggest he has the ability to run well in a race like this. Today though from this draw may not be his best chance.

SUMMARY

Well on paper this is between Smokin Luka and Tko but there are plenty of other chances if you are looking for some value.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES