Winds of 30 miles an hour and temperatures in the mid 50’s greeted the runners this afternoon for the Wood Memorial Stakes at the Big A. Early races on the card were demanding, running wide and late proved beneficial in many races on the under-card.
Wicked Strong looked good in the warm up, broke clean and tucked inside. At the half mile Pole he began to pass horses and around the turn went outside for the drive. Going into the turn he was fifth but had the outside path and elected to run wide heading into the stretch. Had clean running room down the stretch and ran right on by the pace setters for the big victory. Officially winning by 3 lengths and looking like a fresh horse down the lane. The cool weather and sharp recent works including the 7 furlong lung builder seemed to have him ready to fire his best shot.
A quote in DRF from from James Jerkens mentions gate problems for trouble in the Holy Bull:
“The first race was terrible. He acted terrible in the gate,” Jerkens said. “The next time, I thought he ran a lot better, and I thought it was worth a shot to point for the Florida Derby or the Wood Memorial.”
This was a nice effort by Wicked Strong and the final 1/8th and speed figures should come up with a good number.
Samraat broke cleanly from the gate, race 3 wide on the backstretch and 3 wide into the turn. He ran near the pace the entire race and appeared beaten halfway down the stretch and then got the nose down on the wire for 2nd place. No excuses but solid effort. Sammy made a move at Social Inclusion on the turn when it looked like Social Inclusion might draw off on the turn. Samraat
Social Inclusion broke a step slow behind the field and was 3-4 wide going into the backstretch on the turn. Was able to take the lead down the backstretch after Schiavelli tired. Social Inclusion was wide and went to the lead at the 6 furlong mark with a strong 6 mile split and opened up on the turn from the field, entering the stretch with a 2 length lead and then stopping halfway down the stretch. With only two races and facing just enough pace pressure to soften him up on the backside. Running wide down the backstretch and breaking a bit slow may have cost him second.
Uncle Sigh broke slow, was fanned wide down the backstretch made a move and started advancing in tandem with Wicked Strong but then flattened out going into the turn. Did finish well down the lane passing a few horses and galloped out well. The start probably cost him 3 to 4 lengths. He will be tight on getting into the starting gate with 24 points.
Kristo couldn’t keep pace with the front-runners and ran 3 wide and evenly to the turn and then flattened out.
Bottom line 30 races in the books on the Road to the Kentucky and 28 different winners.
Wicked Strong goes into the Derby as a very fresh horse, yet still has 3 races this year. Perfect juvenile bottom and 3 preps to get ready for the derby. Hard Spun was a tough luck derby 2nd and brings a Danzig influence if the track comes up sloppy. This horse ran a good race in the Remsen and has rounded back into form at the right time.
Samraat might have made a move too soon against Social Inclusion, but again went all in at the half mile pole and was still trying game all the way to the end. Nice effort but is he moving forward, or has he peaked at this point?
Wicked Strong moves on to Louisville if everything comes back well. Samraat most likely makes the starting gate and Uncle Sigh will have to sweat it out for a couple of weeks.