The Wood Memorial may not be the most talent-laden Kentucky Derby prep race on Saturday, but it may be the widest open of the three preps, and still offers 170 Derby points.
The race is the 10th on the Aqueduct card with the 1-1/8-mile event set for a 2:28 p.m. PDT post time.
Here are the top runners!
Risk Taking (Chad Brown/Irad Ortiz/5-2) is the morning line favorite and is coming off a win in the Withers, his first stakes effort.
The win was his second straight with both coming from off the pace. There appears to be some pace in this spot, so the style appears to be a great fit. He has improved in each of his four starts.
Prevalence (Brendan Walsh/Tyler Gaffalione/3-1) has two starts and two wins. The first was a maiden score and the second an optional claimer, both at Gulfstream. On paper it is a huge step up but in here he may have the goods. Looks to be a part of the pace setters.
Crowded Trade (Chad Brown/Eric Cancel/4-1) was second in the Gotham posting a solid 95 Beyer mark in the process. He tracked the pace, took the lead at the top of the lane, then got passed late. The lightly raced horse is making his third start.
Weyburn (James Jerkens/Trevor McCarthy/9-2) was the winner of the Gotham, but at 46-1. He gets a lot more respect coming into this one after not getting enough in the Gotham. Always on or near the pace he will be influencing the early speed.
Brooklyn Strong (Daniel Velazquez/Manuel Franco/6-1) won his start in the Remsen, but that was back in early December. He stalked the pace and just got up for the win, earning a 94 Beyer in the process. Might be getting a little more respect than he deserves at this point.
Candy Man Rocket (Bill Mott/Alvarado/12-1) was the winner of the Sam Davis and went off as the favorite in the Tampa Bay Derby, but just went backwards, finishing 11th, beaten 25 lengths. Could conceivably be the value play but I will look elsewhere.
By Dennis Miller