Two contenders for next Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Wood Memorial at
Aqueduct took to the road Friday, with Grade 3 Withers winner Alpha jetting to
New York from Florida and Grade 3 Gotham runner-up My Adonis traveling from
Belmont Park to the Big A for a bullet half-mile breeze.
Alpha boarded a Tex Sutton flight to Farmingdale, Long Island, following his
final serious Wood work at Palm Meadows, where he went a half-mile in 49 over
the fast dirt.
“He breezed great, galloped out in 1:02 3/5,” said trainer Kiaran McLaughlin
of Alpha, who will likely face at least six others in the 1 1/8-mile Wood. “It
was just what we were looking for, and he hopped right on the plane and should
arrive mid-afternoon.”
My Adonis, who in his three-year-old debut was third to Algorithms and Hansen
in the Grade 3 Holy Bull, arrived at Aqueduct around 7:30 a.m. (EDT) Friday
morning after a short van ride. With jockey Cornelio Velasquez aboard, George
and Lori Hall’s Pleasantly Perfect colt zipped four furlongs over the fast main
track in 47, fastest of 17 at the distance.
“The horse worked great, and he came out of it great,” said trainer Kelly
Breen by telephone from Florida. “He’ll tell us his story in the Wood. If he
jumps up and runs a big race, I wouldn’t be surprised.”
Along with Alpha and My Adonis, others targeting the Wood include Casual
Trick, most recently seventh in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth; the undefeated
Grade 2 winner Gemologist, seven-length allowance winner at Gulfstream on March
16; Street Life, who has won his two most recent starts, including the Broad
Brush at Aqueduct on March 17; The Lumber Guy, two-for-two including the Miracle
Wood at Laurel on February 25, and Tiger Walk, third in the Withers and fourth
in the Gotham in his two most recent starts.
Possible starters, according to NYRA stakes coordinator Andrew Byrnes, are
Brimstone Island, Cozzetti, Prospective and Teeth of the Dog.
The Grade 1 Carter Handicap at seven furlongs, contested on the Wood Memorial
undercard, is expected to attract a select field, with five-time graded stakes
winner Calibrachoa, Grade 3 Tom Fool Handicap third-place finisher Emcee, Grade
1 Forego victor Jackson Bend, Grade 1 Preakness hero Shackleford, and Tahitian
Warrior expected to face multiple Grade 1 winner Caleb’s Posse.
Fields are coming together for the two Grade 3 stakes for sophomores on the
same program.
According to NYRA stakes coordinator Andrew Byrnes, the seven-furlong
$250,000 Bay Shore is expected to draw Beggarthyneighbor, Hardened Wildcat, How
Do I Win, and Maan, with Perfect Trippi, Phil Dancer and Trinniberg listed as
possible.
The one-mile $250,000 Comely for fillies is likely to attract Broadway’s
Alibi, Millionreasonswhy, Nuffsaid Nuffsaid, Off Limits, Singlet, and Welcome
Guest. Undefeated Agave Kiss, winner of the Grade 3 Cicada in her last trip to
post, was listed as possible for the race.
“I’m going to check the horses who are going to enter the race,” said Rudy
Rodriguez, who trains Agave Kiss for Flying Zee Racing Stables. “We really don’t
know what we’re going to do yet. I’ll talk to the owners tomorrow and try to
figure out a plan. This is a longer race, and it looks like she got a little
tired last time.”
Agave Kiss breezed five furlongs in 1:01 on Friday at Aqueduct in what was
her first workout since her victory in the Cicada on March 10.
“She breezed very, very nice,” Rodriguez said. “I was very, very pleased with
how she did it. She did everything we asked.”