NEWS
Wood Memorial draws horses from across the country
Posted: Thursday, April 06, 2006
Hutcheson Stakes (G2) winner Keyed Entry and Sham Stakes (G3) winner Bob and John are expected to vie for favoritism in Saturday's $750,000 Wood Memorial Stakes (G1) at Aqueduct, a race that brings together Triple Crown contenders from Southern California, Florida, and New York.
The 1 1/8-mile race for three-year-olds drew a field of nine. Stonerside Stable's Bob and John ships in from Santa Anita Park, where the Bob Baffert trainee finished third in the San Felipe Stakes (G2), 2 1/2 lengths behind A. P. Warrior on March 18. The even-money favorite that day, Bob and John was bumped at the break and made a wide rally from the back of the pack.
Keyed Entry sustained his first loss in four career starts when he finished second by a neck in the Gotham Stakes (G3) over Aqueduct's inner dirt course on March 18. The Todd Pletcher trainee was making his first start around two turns that day.
Also returning from the 1 1/16-mile Gotham is fourth-place finisher Greeley's Legacy, trained by George Weaver. The Mr. Greeley colt has just $10,000 in graded earnings and will likely need a top-two finish on Saturday to guarantee himself a spot in the Kentucky Derby (G1) field, which is limited to 20 starters based on graded earnings.
Tampa Bay Derby (G3) winner Deputy Glitters has been running against the highly regarded Bluegrass Cat, trading decisions with last year's Remsen (G2) and Nashua (G3) Stakes winner in their last two contests in Tampa. An improving Deputy Commander colt, Deputy Glitters is trained by Tom Albertrani.
The field, in post-position order, with (sire), jockey, trainer, and morning line odds:
1. Jazil (Seeking the Gold), Fernando Jara, Kiaran McLaughlin, 10-to-1;
2. Platinum Couple (Tale of the Cat), Jose Santos, Joseph Lostritto, 30-to-1;
3. Keyed Entry (Honour and Glory), Edgar Prado, Todd Pletcher, 5-to-2;
4. Deputy Glitters (Deputy Commander), Jose Lezcano, Tom Albertrani, 7-to-2;
5. Niagara Causeway (Giant's Causeway), Isaias Enriquez, Ron Sticka, 30-to-1;
6. Greeley's Legacy (Mr. Greeley), Eibar Coa, George Weaver, 6-to-1;
7. Bob and John (Seeking the Gold), Garrett Gomez, Bob Baffert, 2-to-1;
8. Marco's Tale (Tale of the Cat), Norberto Arroyo Jr., Rene Araya, 15-to-1; and
9. Scanlon's Song (Partner's Hero), Ramon Dominguez, Alan Klanfer, 20-to-1
