4/5/2025

  5   AQU   The Wood Memorial (GII) [KYD]   

$750.000      3yo           1^1/8th Mile   Dirt      122lbs

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The KYD Prep road goes on forever… but it IS about to end for 2025… we look at the field of fourteen set to go a mile and an eighth over the AQU main oval in The Wood Memorial (GII), and this could spell who goes to Louisville and who doesn’t.  If you look at history, this may be a race you don’t want to win… it’s been the last win of many a horse, or perhaps that’s just another in my long line of superstitions, who knows.  But how do I see this one playing out? 

I’ll take a flyer on Hollywood Empire…  I know, both wins for the Our Athletes trained colt were vs. Gotham-bred types, but they were both over this course, and I’m a horse-for-course kind of a guy, and I think he love this surface.  He catches ‘mouche back in the saddle, worked a bullet and I think he’s a horse ready to break out with style.

I think we have to use Dunked On Shambo in this one… can a horse be any more overdue for a win?  Six races over the track, broke maiden here and a slew of runner-up finishes… and did I mention he’s from the Mb Stables outfit?  He closed from the twelve hole to run second in the Gotham Mile (GIII), catches the fourteen hole here so I guess the question is, can he do it again?  Another solid am gallop getting ready for today, I’m guessing he has a big chance to say yes, yes he can.

Let’s do something I rarely do and give a maiden a hard look and put Fawkes on our tickets.  He’s been close in a number of MSW races, but that second in the Rebel (GII) is the race that gets my attention.  I like how he was able to stay close to the pace without really forcing things and still had the kick to close-in late.  If he can repeat that effort, he could be a big force in this one.

The Card went a bit different from me, but that’s the fun of these TC preps… everyone has an opinion.  Grab a wobble-pop and let’s get down to the rail.   

Here’s the Field –

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1		Save A Horse		Martyparty		Rodriguez Jam		122		12/1
2		Brooklyn Bash		Riggins Racing		Rosario J		122		9/2
3		Magadonia		TwinTowersRacing		Beschizza A		122		15/1
4		Highway Robber		Mb Stables		Ortiz J L		122		8/1
5		Classical		D J C Racing Stables		Rodriguez A R		122		8/1
6		Knowledge Is Good		Mo Mentum Farm		Salles L		122		6/1
7		Grand Chief		Nakamura Stables		Toledo Je		122		7/1
8		Fawkes		Delta Farms		Pennington F		122		7/2
9		Burger King		Team 7 Illusions		Jaramillo E		122		6/1
10		Bleed The Freak		Onlineracingclub.com		Vives S		122		10/1
11		Roman Hound		Riggins Racing		Luzzi L J		122		7/2
12		Hollywood Empire		Our Athletes		Carmouche K		122		6/1
13		Happy Brave		The Sidley Stud		Franco M		122		7/1
14		Dunked On Shambo		Mb Stables		Gaffalione T		122		7/2

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COZMAN  12 / 14 / 8          Willie’s Green Card  14 / 2 / 11

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