Alpha, Gemologist Clash in Wood Memorial

The Bloodhorse ^ | April 5, 2012 2:38 PM | Jason Shandler

[Holen1]

With Union Rags going down in the Florida Derby (gr. I) last weekend, there is room for a new No. 1 on the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) trail. Perhaps it will come from one of the main contenders in the $1 million Resorts World Casino New York City Wood Memorial (gr. I) April 7 at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Either Withers (gr. III) winner Alpha or the undefeated Gemologist could lay claim to the top spot if they were to impressively win on Saturday, and those two will lead a field of eight in the 1 1/8-mile race. Also included are the Gotham (gr. III) runner-up and fourth-place finisher My Adonis and Tiger Walk, respectively, as well as recent overnight stakes winner Street Life. Post time is set for 5:15 p.m. EDT. The Wood Memorial is one of four graded stakes on the Aqueduct program.

[Holen1]

$1 million Wood Memorial (gr. I, Race 9, 5:15 p.m.), 3YO, 1 1/8 Miles (Dirt)

PP. Horse, Jockey, Weight, Trainer, Odds

1. Alpha (KY), R A Dominguez, 123, K P McLaughlin, 5-2

2. Casual Trick (KY), C S Nakatani, 123, N P Zito, 20-1

3. My Adonis (KY), E Trujillo, 123, K J Breen, 8-1

4. Teeth of the Dog (KY), J Bravo, 123, M R Matz, 15-1

5. Street Life (KY), J Alvarado, 123, C C Brown, 4-1

6. Gemologist (KY), J Castellano, 123, T A Pletcher, 8-5

7. Tiger Walk (KY), J R Velazquez, 123, I Correas IV, 15-1

8. The Lumber Guy (NY), C H Velasquez, 123, M E Hushion, 8-1

[Holen1]

Also have Santa Anita Derby and Illinois Derby today.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/68676/creative-cause-on-rail-for-santa-anita-derby

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/68668/wide-open-illinois-derby-draws-14

[ConservativeStatement]

I felt very comfortable playing Borel in the Florida Derby. These two races today, not so much.

[Holen1]

The Lumber Guy in the Wood, Midnight Transfer in The SA Derby, and Z Rockstar in the Ill. Derby.

[ConservativeStatement]

Biggest field ever in the Illinois Derby from what I read. I wonder how that’ll play out. I went with the Garcia/Baffert entry in Santa Anita just because of them.

[Holen1]

Big, but weak, IMHO. Only one Graded Stakes winner in the field.

[Matchett-PI]

bttt

[Nepeta]

Aqueduct is not a slow track, but the Wood was a full 3 seconds slower than the Santa Anita Derby.

This means something.

[Holen1]

I’m not impressed with any of the East Coast horses. Weak speed figures. Of course, I went 0-3 today, so what do I know.