Wood Memorial Day Fields Taking Shape

A field of promising 3-year-olds is taking shape for the Grade 1, $1 million Twinspires.com Wood Memorial on Saturday, April 4 at Aqueduct Racetrack, led by sensational juvenile Daredevil.

The 1 1/8-mile Wood, Aqueduct's prep for the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on May 2, also features a trio of graded stakes on its undercard: the Grade 1, $400,000 Carter Handicap, the Grade 2, $300,000 Gazelle, and the Grade 3, $300,000 Bay Shore.

Daredevil, a son of More Than Ready, broke his maiden at first asking in September at Belmont Park before capturing the Grade 1 Champagne in his second career start for trainer Todd Pletcher. After finishing eleventh in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile to close out his 2-year-old campaign, the chestnut colt rounded back into form in his sophomore debut, finishing second to Ready for Rye in the Grade 2 Swale at Gulfstream Park.

Pletcher is also likely to saddle Grade 3 Withers winner Far From Over. Owned by Black Rock Thoroughbreds, Far From Over overcame a disastrous start in the Withers to prevail by 1 ¾ lengths and remain undefeated.

The horse Far From Over defeated in the Withers, El Kabeir, is also probable for the Wood. A John Terranova trainee, El Kabeir has participated in all three local preps for the Wood, with his runner-up finish in the Withers sandwiched between wins in the Grade 3 Jerome and Grade 3 Gotham.

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin is likely to have two entrants: Frosted and either Classy Class or Ocean Knight. Frosted has spent the winter in Florida, where he finished second in the Grade 2 Holy Bull at Gulfstream and fourth in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth. The Tapit colt is already acquainted with the track and configuration of the Wood; as a 2-year-old, the Godolphin color-bearer finished second in the Grade 2, 1 1/8-mile Remsen at the Big A.

Tencendur and Toasting Master are also probable for the race, while Unrivaled is under consideration for Team Valor International.

The seven-furlong Carter for older runners is likely to feature a showdown between The Big Beast, Dads Caps, and Clearly Now.

As a 3-year-old in 2014, The Big Beast made a name for himself at Saratoga Race Course, where he thrashed a first-level allowance field before taking the Grade 1 King's Bishop by a neck. The Tony Dutrow trainee was forced to hit the sidelines following the King's Bishop, but resurfaced on March 1 at Oaklawn Park, promptly recovering his sophomore form with a 1 ¼-length score.

Last year's Carter winner, Dads Caps, has had the misfortune of facing world-class sprinter Salutos Amigos on three separate occasions this winter. In his past two starts, the son of Discreet Cat has finished second in the Grade 3 Toboggan and Grade 3 Tom Fool Handicap, both behind Salutos Amigos.

Trained by Brian Lynch for Uphill Stable, Clearly Now has not run since finishing eighth in the Grade 1 Forego in late August at Saratoga. One start prior, the son of Horse Greeley set a track record at Belmont Park, blitzing seven furlongs in 1:19.96 in the Grade 3 Belmont Sprint Championship.

The winner of the Grade 3 General George Handicap on February 16 at Laurel Park, Misconnect, is also probable for the Carter, while multiple Grade 1 winner Palace, Dream Saturday, and Wild Dude are possible.

Grade 1 winner Condo Commando, for owner Michael Dubb, is likely to headline the 1 1/8-mile Gazelle, the local precursor to the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks on May 1 at Churchill Downs.

A daughter of Tiz Wonderful, Condo Commando debuted in a $75,000 maiden claiming race last summer at the Spa, which she won by 12 lengths. Jumping way up in class for her next start, the Grade 1 Spinaway at Saratoga, Condo Commando was equally dazzling, splashing home to a 13 ¼-length triumph over a waterlogged main track. After a fourth-place finish in the Grade 1 Frizette, the dark bay or brown filly closed out her juvenile year with a win in the Grade 2 Demoiselle at the Big A.

On February 22, Condo Commando made her 3-year-old debut over Aqueduct's inner track, taking the Busher by 4 ¾ lengths.

Third-place finisher from the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, Wonder Gal is probable for the Gazelle for trainer Leah Gyarmati and Treadway Racing Stable. The dark bay or brown filly has not run since the Juvenile Fillies on November 1.

Also likely for the race are Noble and a Beauty, winner of the six-furlong Cicada on March 15 at the Big A, and Money'soncharlotte. Jacaranda, Puca, and Sweet Corine are possible.

A strong field is lining up for the seven-furlong Bay Shore for 3-year-old sprinters, led by Chalk Racing's Ready for Rye, who vanquished Daredevil in his most recent outing.

Other talented sprinters probable for the race include Ackeret, Easy to Say, Lord Nelson and Majestic Affair. Additionally, trainer Mike Hushion and John Nerud are likely to team up with Final Chapter, a New York-bred who has won two straight at the Big A.

El Deal and Papa Upa are also possible.