Bourbonic catches Dynamic One in Wood Memorial stunner

Apr 03, 2021 by James Scully/TwinSpires.com

Bourbonic will head to the Kentucky Derby after recording one
of the biggest upsets in the 97-year history of the Wood Memorial S. (G2),
rallying last-to-first to post a 72-1 shocker at Aqueduct.

Two-time Kentucky Derby winner Todd Pletcher likely secured
a pair of Kentucky Derby berths in the major qualifier, with Dynamic One
finishing second by a head after being caught in the final strides. The runner-up
was overlooked at 15-1 after breaking his maiden the fourth time out in his
previous start.

The Wood Memorial awards points on a 100-40-20-10 basis to
the top four runners.

Bourbonic provided Jon Kelley’s legendary Calumet Farm with
its first Wood Memorial win. Kendrick Carmouche was up on the homebred Bernardini
colt, who was making his stakes debut, and the dark bay completed the 1
1/8-mile distance in 1:54.49.

The winner still trailed in ninth after the opening three-quarters
of a mile, gaining momentum on the final turn and closing dramatically on the
far outside in the stretch. Dynamic One rallied to overhaul Weyburn after straightening
for home, taking a short lead with a furlong remaining, and turned back a
challenge from Crowded Trade before being nailed late.

Crowded Trade wound up 1 1/4 lengths behind the top pair in
third, about two lengths better than Weyburn in fourth. Brooklyn Strong,
Prevalence, 2-1 favorite Risk Taking, Market Maven, and Candy Man Rocket
completed the order.

Bourbonic needed three starts to earn his first win, graduating in a
$50,000 maiden claiming racing at Aqueduct in early December. He followed with
a narrow score over starter rivals six weeks later, and Bourbonic was exiting a
well-beaten second in an entry-level allowance at Parx on Feb. 23.

The Kentucky-bred sophomore is out of the Grade 2-winning
Afleet Alex mare Dancing Afleet.