Happy Wood Memorial Day! 

The Big A takes the stage with the 100th running of Wood Memorial. This is the first big card on the New York racing calendar which also features the Grade II Carter, and a couple Grade IIIs – the Gazelle for three year old filles, and the Distaff for older fillies and mares.    

Trivia question: Where was the Wood Memorial run before it was held at Aqueduct? 

Race 10 – The Carter Handicap  – Grade II 

Seven Furlongs on the Dirt for Four Year Olds and Upward 

1. Crazy Mason: Won two in a row to start his four year old season defeating N1X and N2X fields. Moves to Grade II company. Best running style is from off the pace. Recent improvement came with the addition of Lasix which comes OFF today. Passing.
2. Quint’s Brew: Laurel Park based gelding has four wins from five career starts and runs here off an impressive win the General George where he drew off in the lane (101 Beyer) over a muddy surface. Should be the pace with this inside draw. Off track is no worry. Using.
3. Surveillance: Consistent eight year old performer for Linda Rice has a case of the seconditis with four seconds in a row. In the Tom Fool (95 Beyer) he had no excuse as he was out finished by Full Moon Madness for the second time in four races. Bottom side of exotics. 
4. Full Moon Madness: Won the Tom Fool last month by open lengths (98 Beyer) for his first graded stakes win. All four of his career wins have come at the Big A. Does he want seven furlongs? Not sure about that but he is in his career best form for Michele Nevin. Player.
5. Donegal Momentum: Had been performing well last year for Tom Morley on the turf including a win in the Gio Ponti Stakes and a N3X race at Fair Grounds last month, but he shifts this Uncle Mo colt back to the dirt. Ran well on the dirt last Summer with decent figs until he found the Amsterdam a bit too tough. Should sit in behind the pace. Contender at a price.
6. Dilger: In his first two races of the year he ran against Optional Claimer N1X company at Gulfstream and got the job in his second attempt (88 Beyer). This is a much tougher field, however. Saffie Joseph attracts Dylan Davis and the Lasix comes OFF. Could get a piece. 
7. Maximus Meridius: Butch Reid ships in this colt from Parx but this one is plenty familiar with this surface, as he has hit the exacta four of five starts at the Big A. Two back in the Toboggan Stakes he was impressive as he set the pace then fought off multiple threats in the lane (98 Beyer) going seven furlongs. Should get a good outside pace pressing trip. Moves up on a wet track. The Pick
8. Sheriff Bianco: Seven year old warhorse runs here off a win in the state bred Say Florida Sandy Stakes where he had a nice stalking trip (88 Beyer). Needs to be faster.

Picks 7-5-2-4 

Race 12 – The Wood Memorial – Grade II 

One Mile and One Furlong on the Dirt for Three Year Olds 

1. Rodriquez: Baffert ships this one from SoCal off an OK San Felipe where he was in position (90 Beyer) was buried as Journalism posted a 108 Beyer. Earned a 100 Beyer when breaking his maiden on the front end. He should be on the gas again today from his post rail. But there is a lot of other speed in this field that he will have to contend with. Blinkers come OFF. Contender.
2. Captain Cook: Won the Withers where he sat three wide and moved at the quarter pole (94 Beyer). He can get the distance and is 2 for 2 at the Big A. Working well in advance of this. Should in behind a bevy of speed horses and get first run at them. Race setup suits. The Pick.
3. Tiger Twenty Four: Broke his maiden going the flat mile as the odds on favorite (82 Beyer). Ships to New York from South Florida for Mott into stakes company. Lasix comes OFF. Pass.
4. My Mitole: Had won two in a row coming into the Gotham and ran OK in that one turn mile (87 Beyer) where he finished fourth, as he had a tough time switching leads again. Looked like he had run if he had gotten it all sorted out. Blinkers go ON. Needs to improve.
5. Sand Devil: New York bred was undefeated in three career starts against state breds and then moved to open company in the Gotham where he was well positioned and got the lead as they turned for home but was run down (92 Beyer). Will have to avoid a speed duel.
6. Hill Road: Public reports indicate this one will SCRATCH as he spiked a fever. 
7. Grande: Pletcher trainee impressively broke his maiden going the flat mile at Gulfstream (83 Beyer) in his first start and then came back to defeat N1X company by open lengths (87 Beyer). Lasix comes OFF for his first graded stakes attempt. Hasn’t done a thing wrong yet. Using.
8. Passion Rules: Undefeated in three career starts for Brad Cox with wins at Oaklawn and the Fair Grounds going two turns. Needs to be much faster. Lasix comes OFF. Passing.
9. Bear Claw Necklace: Public reports indicate this one is a SCRATCH as he did not ship in.
10. McAfee: Was a distant fifth in the Gotham in his first race of the year (82 Beyer) where he passed some tired ones. Does he want longer? Looking elsewhere.
11. Statesman: Shug trainee started on the turf but has moved to the dirt and ran through his first two conditions at Tampa. Moves to stakes company today. His two best figs (75 and 78) came with Lasix on, which comes OFF today. Maybe a piece.
12. Omaha Omaha: Deep closer hit the board in both the Jerome and Withers and picked up the pieces for third in the Virginia Derby over a speed favoring Colonial Downs surface (82 Beyer). Should drop out the back and come flying into a hot pace. Could get a piece at a price.

Picks 2-7-1-12 

Trivia Answer: Prior to 1960 the Wood Memorial was run at Jamaica Race Course, also located in Queens, and the race is named after Eugene Wood – founder of the Jamaica Race Course.