Wood Memorial (G1)
Winner
(pts): Verrazano (100)
2nd, 3rd,
4th (pts): Normandy Invasion (40), Vyjack (20), Mr. Palmer (10)
Chart: Equibase
Replay: YouTube
Beyer/BRIS:
95/100
Recaps: Bloodhorse / DRF / Brisnet / NYTimes
CTD Analysis: You will hear a lot about the Wood
Memorial (G1) from now until the first Saturday in May. Considering Verrazano
is the likely favorite of the Kentucky Derby and the fact he did not win the
Wood by daylight as many thought he should, bettors now have reason to look elsewhere
on their Derby program.
You will
hear talk of the speed figure- a 95 Beyer- and how it paled in comparison to
the 105 earned by Goldencents on the West Coast. You will also hear talk of the
pace, which was slow and something Verrazano was essentially part of and took
advantage of. You will hear from those who think another furlong and Normandy
Invasion would have been the one earning 100 points instead of Verrazano.
All of that
will happen, but Verrazano is still my current pick- bad post position not
withstanding- of winning this year’s Kentucky Derby. You can’t fault him for
being towards the front end of a slow pace. We knew going in, the Wood Memorial
would be devoid of a fast pacesetter so jockey John Velazquez was left with no
other option. From the moment Verrazano began to accelerate to the lead around
the 3/4 pole it was not exactly pretty. Despite the premature burst, Verrazano
dug in nonetheless the rest of the way and fought off a very hard charging
Normandy Invasion. While he didn’t earn any “eye-popping” points, we finally got
to see how Verrazano acts when faced with a stiff challenge. It was a good
lesson learned, plus a with quicker pace in the Derby and further training, I
think Verrazano can rate further off the front and make a stronger sustained
run later into the final turn.
Normandy
Invasion stamped himself the likely wise-guy pick of this year’s Derby.
Everyone looks for a strong finisher for the extended distance of the Derby,
and Normandy Invasion is the proverbial diamond in the rough. As much as I
dislike comparing horses to previous Classic runners, I can’t help but be
reminded of 2011 Kentucky Derby runner-up Nehro. There’s something to be said
for horses who constantly find trouble and always end up the fighting
bridesmaid on the big stage.
Vyjack was
considered Verrazano’s main threat but faltered in the late stages of the Wood
to finish third by just a length. He was found to have mucus buildup in his
lungs, but it’s likely he won’t relish the added distance either way. Still, if
his condition clears up there will be some who feel he could be sitting on
sneaky big effort next out.
Santa Anita Derby (G1)
Winner
(pts): Goldencents (100)
2nd, 3rd,
4th (pts): Flashback (40), Super Ninety Nine (20), Tiz a Minister (10)
Chart: Equibase
Replay: YouTube
Beyer/BRIS:
105/106
Recaps: Bloodhorse / DRF / Brisnet / AP
CTD Analysis: Jockey Kevin Krigger got his
revenge in Saturday’s Santa Anita Derby (G1) with a strong stalk and pounce
effort from Goldencents. The race couldn’t have set up any better for the son
of Into Mischief as Flashback did not press the pace like he did in the San
Felipe (G2) which allowed Goldencents to comfortably bide his time along
pacesetter Super Ninety Nine. When Krigger set him down, Goldencents kicked
into high gear with more than a length separating him and eventual runner-up
Flashback. It was another 8 1/2 lengths back to Super Ninety Nine third, which
further indicates just how fast Goldencents was moving.
The Beyer
speed figure of 105 is the highest of any prep so far, and will probably
further the cause for Goldencents to be among the favorites in the Derby. I’m
still not completely sold. There is a good chance Goldencents will get pressure
from some of the other 19 entrants in Kentucky Derby, as he did in the San
Felipe. If that happens, can he stay calm, cool, and collected or will he exert
too much unnecessary energy? It appears O’Neill made some strides with his
training leading up to the Santa Anita Derby and could continue to do so, but
I’m betting the Derby stage (not to mention distance) will be too much for
Goldencents to handle.
Flashback
was found to have a knee chip following the race and is unfortunately off the
Derby trail. It was a strong effort nonetheless. Super Ninety Nine set too hot
of a pace and had nothing left in the tank. As much as I believed he would have
a redeeming effort Saturday, it appears his disposition, class, and pedigree
will not allow him to move on down the trail.
News Summary:
John
Velazquez, who has a decision to make between riding Orb or Verrazano, was
thrown from his mount Sunday. He injured his wrist and ribs but plans on returning
to the saddle Derby week// Velazquez is not the only jockey with a tough
decision, as Javier Castellano must choose between Louisiana Derby (G2) winner
Revolutionary and fast closing Wood runner-up Normandy Invasion// Several Blue
Grass (G1) and Arkansas Derby (G1) probables worked over the weekend. You can
find their times and reports below// Lots of opinions on Saturday’s Santa Anita
Derby and Wood Memorial below// A great article on the short history of
synthetic runners and their Derby success- or lack thereof. Since Keeneland
converted to Polytrack in 2007 the Kentucky Derby record of the top three Blue
Grass (G1) finishers is 13-1-0-2// Sounds like there is a strong possibility
Will Take Charge will bypass the Blue Grass and instead train up to the
Kentucky Derby. Some feel that raises a red flag// more…
Articles:
Flashback off Kentucky Derby trail
with knee chip
(Bloodhorse)
Wood, SA Derby thoughts (DRF Blog)
Can Verrazano make Kentucky Derby
history? (Forbes
Online)
Verrazano undefeated by not untested…really? (Horseracing Nation)
Wood Memorial: Ramifications from
Saturday’s results
(Bleacher Report)
Coming around (a bit) on Verrazano (Left at the Gate)
Derby rematch looms for Verrazano,
‘Invasion’
(Bloodhorse)
Vyjack remains on course for
Kentucky Derby
(Bloodhorse)
Super Saturday [thoughts on Wood and
SA Derby] (Pull The
Pocket)
Mylute breezes ‘easy’ half mile;
Falling Sky works toward Arkansas Derby (Churchill Downs)
Java’s War, Falling Sky in Blue
Grass works
(Bloodhorse)
Kenny Troutt headed back to Kentucky
Derby with Revolutionary
(Dallas Guide Live)
Derby dart board (The Rail NY Times Blog)
Works:
Saturday
Uncaptured-
KEE- 5F- 1.01:40- B- 13/77
Dewey
Square- KEE- 5F- 1.03:00- B- 52/77
Rydilluc-
KEE- 7F- 1.28:60- B- 1/1
Demonic-
HOL- 7F- 1.27:60- H- 2/3
Dynamic
Sky- CD- 5F- 1.01:40- B- 6/14
Sunday
Frac Daddy-
GP- 5F- 1.00:56- B- 1/13
Java's War-
GP- 5F- 1.00:56- B- 1/13
Mylute- CD-
4F- 50:20- B- 16/24
Falling
Sky- CD- 5F- 1.00:00- B- 2/13
My Name Is
Michael- KEE- 4F- 49:00- B- 35/61
Belvin- SA-
4F- 47:60- H- 4/40
War
Academy- SA- 7F- 1.26:20- H- 1/3
Manando-
SA- 4F- 50:40- H- 36/40
Overanalyze-
PMM- 5F- 1.01:30- B- 4/18
Heaven's
Runway- OP- 5F- 1.02:60- B- 22/49
Monday
West Hills
Giant- BEL- 5F- 1.00:47- B- 2/9
Den's
Legacy- SA- 4F- 47:80- H- 6/37
Rankings:
Top 10 (Star-Ledger)
Derby Gauge Top 15 (In The Money)
Haskin’s Derby Dozen 4/8 (Bloodhorse Blog)
Quotes and Tweets:
"Chad
says Normandy Invasion came out of Wood in good shape. Will ship to Churchill
on 4-14. Will give Javier some time to make decision"- David Grening via
Twitter
"Verrazano
will be the Derby fav. Should get a good price on Orb and he is my early pick to
win"- Mike Battaglia via Twitter
“Rafael
Bejarano will replace injured John Velazquez on Overanalyze in Ark Derby on
Saturday, according to Pletcher.” Jay Privman via Twitter
"Will
Take Charge to 'probably' train up to Kentucky Derby, trainer Wayne Lukas said.
#TitletownFive to run in Derby Trial as Preakness prep"- Robert Yates via
Twitter
