2019 Wood Memorial Study Guide

Apr 04, 2019 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

A well-matched field of 11 will vie in the $1 million Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct on Saturday. The Road to the Kentucky Derby points event offers a 100-40-20-10 structure for the top-four finishers. This great betting event lacks a standout in what appears to be the most competitive weekend prep across the country.

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Here is the cast of Kentucky Derby (G1) hopefuls:

Tax Career Racing Stats

4 Starts
2 Wins
1 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $186,300

Top BRIS Speed rating (103) for third in Remsen Stakes (G2)

Owner: R A Hill Stable and Reeves Thoroughbred Racing
Breeder: Claiborne Farm and Adele B. Dilschneider (KY)
Trainer: Danny Gargan
Jockey: Junior Alvarado

Sire: Arch
Dam: Toll
Color: Dark Bay

The Withers Stakes (G3) hero draws inside as an obvious contender in the field. The gelding has earned strong 102 and 103 BRIS Speed numbers in his last pair and is training well in preparation of the Wood. The Kentucky-bred will be forwardly placed early on.

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Tacitus Career Racing Stats

3 Starts
2 Wins
0 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $253,000

Top BRIS Speed rating (95) in Tampa Bay Derby (G2) win

Owner: Juddmonte Farm Inc.
Breeder: Juddmonte Farm Inc. (KY)
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Sire: Tapit
Dam: Close Hatches
Color: Gray/Roan

This rising star was sharp in a Tampa Bay Derby (G2) win off of a four-month absence most recently for trainer Bill Mott. The 5-2 morning-line choice figures to move forward as the one to beat in his second try of 2019. Regular pilot Jose Ortiz retains the mount.

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Hoffa’s Union Career Racing Stats

1 Starts
1 Wins
0 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $22,800

Top BRIS Speed rating (97) in maiden tally

Owner: Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable, Christopher Dunn
Breeder: Fredrick Allor (KY)
Trainer: Mark Casse
Jockey: Dylan Davis

Sire: Union Rags
Dam: Malibu Red
Color: Bay

This second timer was a 15-length romper on debut and is ambitiously placed in his first try against winners for trainer Mark Casse. An unknown quantity, he will be forcing the tempo early on.

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Haikal Career Racing Stats

4 Starts
3 Wins
1 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $298,900

Top BRIS Speed rating (102) in Gotham Stakes (G3) victory

Owner: Shadwell Stable
Breeder: Shadwell Farm LLC (KY)
Trainer: Kiaran McLaughlin
Jockey: Rajiv Maragh

Sire: Daaher
Dam: Sablah
Color: Bay

This bay colt is a neck shy from being unbeaten in four lifetime races for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. The Kentucky-bred has a potent turn of foot and will aim to prove that he can handle a route of ground in his two-turn debut on Saturday. The Shadwell homebred could get a nice pace set up beneath regular rider Rajiv Maragh.

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Final Jeopardy Career Racing Stats

3 Starts
2 Wins
0 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $57,750

Top BRIS Speed rating (95) in allowance victory

Owner: Gary and Mary West
Breeder: Bloodstock Investment III (KY)
Trainer: Jason Servis
Jockey: Manuel Franco

Sire: Street Sense
Dam: Addison Run
Color: Bay

This lightly raced colt was a sharp allowance winner at Gulfstream Park in his 2019 debut. The three-year-old Kentucky-bred intrigues in his two-turn debut for a red-hot barn. Manny Franco picks up the ride.

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Overdeliver Career Racing Stats

2 Starts
1 Wins
1 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $34,000

Top BRIS Speed rating (93) for maiden tally

Owner: Repole Stable
Breeder: Pegasus Stud LLC (KY)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Kendrick Carmouche

Sire: Overanalyze
Dam: Social Scene
Color: Chestnut

The Pasco Stakes runner-up comes in fresh with good morning drills for the mighty Todd Pletcher barn. The twice-raced colt is bred to handle the distance in his stakes debut.

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Not That Brady Career Racing Stats

7 Starts
2 Wins
2 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $158,900

Top BRIS Speed rating (101) in Withers Stakes (G3) second

Owner: Michael Imperio, Rudy R. Rodriguez and Lianna Stables Inc.
Breeder: KatieRich Farms (NY)
Trainer: Rudy Rodriguez
Jockey: Reylu Gutierrez

Sire: Big Brown
Dam: Lisa’s Booby Trap
Color: Chestnut

This need-the-lead type never lifted a foot when distanced in the Gotham Stakes (G3) most recently but is much better than his latest. The Withers (G3) runner-up will be sent from the break as the possible pacesetter among the cast.

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Grumps Little Tots Career Racing Stats

4 Starts
1 Wins
2 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $63,600

Top BRIS Speed rating (91) in maiden tally

Owner: Michael Dubb, Coyle Boys Stable and Bethlehem Stables LLC
Breeder: Clearsky Farms (KY)
Trainer: Jason Servis
Jockey: Jose Lezcano

Sire: Sky Mesa
Dam: W W American
Color: Dark Bay

The gelding was a smart maiden winner on this course in February and takes a big class hike in the Wood Memorial. The Kentucky-bred is cut out for the distance, but he needs better to be in the running late against this group.

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Math Wizard Career Racing Stats

7 Starts
2 Wins
1 Place
2 Show
Total Career Earnings: $39,873

Top BRIS Speed rating (96) in claiming score

Owner: John Finelli, Collermele, Vitelli Stables
Breeder: Lucky Seven Stable (KY)
Trainer: Saffie A. Joseph Jr.
Jockey: Eric Cancel

Sire: Algorithms
Dam: Minister’s Baby
Color: Chestnut

This colt has shown vast improvement in his last trio of races in South Florida. The former claimer will need to prove his class in this spot, however, in his toughest assignment to date. Eric Cancel will take the reins for the initial time.

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Outshine Career Racing Stats

4 Starts
2 Wins
1 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $150,900

Top BRIS Speed rating (94) in allowance victory

Owner: Let’s Go Stable and Richad D. Schibell
Breeder: T. F. VanMeter and Ricky Stivers (KY)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: John Velazquez

Sire: Malibu Moon
Dam: Life Lesson
Color: Bay

This prime contender has put in a pair of strong races this season and appears poised to be a major win contender in this spot. The Todd Pletcher pupil was second-best in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) in his second outing with blinkers on most recently. John Velazquez riding is a positive, too.

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Joevia Career Racing Stats

3 Starts
1 Wins
2 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $71,600

Top BRIS Speed rating (99) for second in Jimmy Winfield Stakes

Owner: Michael and Jeff Fazio
Breeder: Ikhana Farm (KY)
Trainer: Gregory Sacco
Jockey: Nik Juarez

Sire: Shanghai Bobby
Dam: Peace Process
Color: Dark Bay

This consistent colt was a debut winner last summer, and he checked in second in both the Jimmy Winkfield Stakes and Private Terms Stakes from a pair of 2019 starts. The colt will need improvement while overcoming the widest post ion the field.