On Saturday, one of the three Kentucky Derby prep races will be the Grade 2 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct. The race, with a $750,000 purse that may be raised to $1 million will be televised by NBC Sports Network with a post time of 5:55 PM EST.
Enticed, the 6 to 5 morning-line favorite drew the No. 5 post in the field of nine. Only Enticed at No. 5 and Firenze Fire at No. 17 are in the top 20 of the current points list for the Kentucky Derby.
Enticed, a Kiaran McLaughlin-trained colt is 3-0-1 in his five career starts, winning the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club November 25 run at Churchill Downs.
McLaughlin said he feels Enticed fits well at Aqueduct and the team is hoping for a strong race since the Wood Memorial is such an important one for any 3-year old.
Jason Servis-trained Firenze Fire was fourth in his last start in the Gotham. In his eight career starts, Firenze Fire is 4-1-0. Firenze Fire is currently 6 to 1. The other horses in the field include Heartfullofstars going off at 20 to 1; Evaluator going off at 20 to 1; Old Time Revival going off at 6 to 1; Catch Twenty Two going off at 50 to 1; King Zachary going off at 20 to 1; Restoring Hope going off at 4 to 1; and Vino Rosso going off at 9 to 2.
The purse for the Wood Memorial is likely to be increased to $1 million. Race organizers want this done as a way to entice the best 3-year olds to run on Saturday in this prep-event for the Kentucky Derby.
The New York Racing Association has said that any horse that starts on Saturday that has a previous victory at Group 1 or Grade 1 would make the purse jump to $1 million. Aqueduct is 1 1/8 miles long.
Trying to beat the heavy favorite Enticed as the Goldolphin owned Colt doesn't need to win this prep to get into the Kentucky Derby and might be just a tick off his best. The #8 Restoring Hope has a ton of talent but has just a maiden win under his belt but Baffert has showed big confidence all week long and think Jockey Prat gets clear late and pulls away late.
$500 Win-Place #8 Restoring Hope $10 Exacta Box - #8 Restoring Hope, #9 Vino Rosso, #7 King Zachary $1 Trifecta Wheel - #8 Restoring Hope with #9 Vino Rosso, #7 King Zachary with ALL
