Rocky III and some talented newcomers make this year’s edition of the Wood Memorial an exciting renewal. Grade 1 Status, 1 million dollar purse and The Big Apple have brought out a star-studded class in search of Derby points. They hustled up some late entrants to make this an 11 horse field. But the bottom 4 are up against it.
Social Inclusion is the New Kid on the Block. Devastating wins in both career starts have put this guy on the fast track to the Wood. In his debut win he broke 3 lengths slow and won by 7. His encore race he was the lone speed in a 5 horse field, with a short stretch. But he defeated the winter book Derby favorite with ease and looked really strong. Speed Figure in last race was off the charts. But several obstacles in this race. Bigger field. New surface of Big A which is deeper than Gulfstream. Has to ship to New York. Faces more proven pace pressure in Uncle Sigh and Samraat. Running 9 furlongs on a quick turn-around. They say if you can make it in New York you can Make it Anywhere. Very interesting workouts in last month, all are listed as 3 furlongs including many on just a few days rest. 85-year-old trainer Manuel Azpurua calls the shots for this flashy son of PioneeroftheNile. My experience says make him prove it. It’s horses like this that make this game a passion for so many people. Will watch with interest. Post Position draw probably means he sends.
Uncle Sigh has become a fan favorite with memorable stretch duels with Samraat in his last two races. Has had to do all the dirty work the last two races and Samraat has beat him on the square in both races. The task does not get an easier with Social Inclusion shipping in to increase the pace of the race. More pressure may be applied in the middle of the race with Kristo and Tonalist. His odds will go up and he is even with Samraat, still feel that he has room to improve and turning the tables is not out of the question. Strong work last week. Finally draws outside of Samraat post position wise. The price may be right for this guy who continues to train well.
Samraat is an undefeated New York Bred who has yet to capture the public imagination. This horse has many story-lines. He’s a likable homebred by a sire who has very few foals who have made it to the races. Amazing training job turning this “pure” sprinter into a solid middle distance horse in the last 2 races. Has ran wider and carried more weight. This guy is legit and expect a mid race move into the pace again and very capable of making it a perfect six for six. Has been shipping to Florida between races and shipping to New York for race week the past couple of races. String of works includes multiple long distance works of 1 mile. Has shown the speed to wire the field, but in last couple of races has really relaxed behind horses making his move into the turn. If he wins this, a six for six record will be well deserved and should garner plenty of attention among horse racing fans.
Kristo ships in from California after a disappointing effort in the Robert Lewis. I really like the pedigree on this son of Distorted Humor, but race results at this time has shortened expectations. Sometimes trying a new surface does the trick. Hoppertunity and Chitu both ran big races off the Santa Anita surface and have a feeling Kristo fits with this group. Main problem is classifying his running style. His best win was a wire to wire victory. He pressed in the Sham and last race he was knocked over the head by the early pace of California Chrome. Continues to work sharp and will have to swap punches with Uncle Sigh and Samraat down the backstretch, while keeping an eye on Social Inclusion in front of him. Ultimately he may be a Grade II horse this summer. Like owners and trainers getting aggressive and giving him another spot on a new surface. Not expecting him to win, but has shown some talent at times.
Noble Moon had a small setback after his win in January in the Jerome Stakes. Workouts have been long and demanding for the last month. Maiden win was wire to wire and then came from off the pace in the Nashua Stakes. Grinded out the win in Jerome as the lone speed and class of the field. Overall I anticipate this horse being a pace presser and being able to get 9 furlongs. Has run with classy horses and fits with these horses if he can fire off the bench. His odds will be high and those who are fans will be rewarded if he does end up in the winner’s circle. A solid race may set him up for the Preakness or a Peter Pan and Belmont appearance. Long works recently should have him fit and first two races of career showed strong speed figures. Have a feeling he represents well in this race. Pedigree and running style puts him in with a chance.
Harpoon is pretty much what he is at the this point. His only dominating performance was his maiden breaker from an outside post position. His last race he was outrun by the top 3 finishers of the Wither’s and two of them are back. Ultimately a Grade 2 or 3 horse and just doesn’t fit class wise or speed figure wise to win a Grade 1.
Los Borrachos picked up a maiden win in last race after being a private purchase and shipped from Santa Anita to pick up a win in at Aqueduct. Dominated the field in last race. The Judge Mandella trained out West and now Mott calls the shots. Moving up in class and would have to improve by several lengths to be competitive in this spot. Long-term still some upside.
Schivarelli is also two for two, but both his wins were at the Big A this winter. Son of Monbrook is bred for speed and has a win early trainer and sire. Last race speed figure jumps off the charts and may be over-inflated. Have a feeling this is too much too soon. Not enough oomph for me.
Wicked Strong was heavily supported in the Holy Bull stakes before doing the Florida “Flop”. Last race improved while running wide and late on a speedy surface on the Fountain of Youth undercard. Recent works have been peppy and may run well in the cool weather after spending all winter in hot and humid florida. Best races last year were in New York. Running style and pedigree says the 9 furlong distance is right up his wheel-house. Sharp 7 furlong move last week. Trainer does well in New York. Lots of signs point to a wake up call at a big price Saturday.
Kid Cruz was a game time decision at the last-minute to enter the Wood. Last week it was announced he missed a few days of training and would have to pass. Not a big fan when trainers switch plans. Visually looked impressive closing in last race. But the final time and speed figure put him 10 lengths behind the best of this field. Finishing 4th would be the upside. Have a feeling he is not a Grade 1 horse with this caliber of horses. Too slow for this bunch.
The Pace:
I expect Social Inclusion to be on the lead and setting some ambitious fractions, this horse is fast and speed is his weapon. 6 Furlongs in 1:11 and change. Uncle Sigh gets a nice trip chasing the speed with Samraat or Kristo not too far back. The field could get bunched on the turn.
The Choice:
Uncle Sigh has had to set the pace and run between horses in last two races. Seems fit with some long works and gallops and price will be a little higher in odds than Samraat. Gets a target to run at in Social Inclusion and likes the surface. Uncle Sigh is the choice. Wicked Strong is capable to improve sharply in this spot.