Wood Memorial

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Saturday’s 81st running of the Wood Memorial (G1) is a wide-open, tough
race, with plenty of speed present. The nine-furlong test, which has produced three of
the last five Kentucky Derby (G1) winners, includes the top five finishers from
the Gotham S. (G3), who finished within 1 1/2 lengths of each
other. All five of those are hard to separate, so we’re going to go with a new shooter,
BELLAMY ROAD (Concerto), who was simply brilliant winning his seasonal debut at
Gulfstream Park.

Bellamy Road was a top two-year-old for trainer Michael Dickinson, winning
the 1 1/6-mile Cradle S. (G3) at River Downs before going wrong as the favorite
in the 1 1/16-mile Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland. The dark bay showed up
in the barn of trainer Nick Zito earlier this year and then proceeded to put on
a dazzling display of speed, drawing off at will to a 15
3/4-length romp in a one-mile allowance in his 2005 debut. Bellamy Road is an extremely talented
sort who has displayed push-button response. He appears to have blossomed with
maturity and should become yet another top Derby contender from the over-loaded Zito shedrow.

The speedy GOING WILD (Golden Missile) ships in from Southern California
after finishing a good second to champion Declan’s Moon (Malibu Moon) in the
Santa Catalina S. (G2). Prior to that, the D. Wayne Lukas-trained colt rattled
off front-running victories in the nine-furlong Sham S. and six-furlong San
Miguel S. Going Wild will likely force the early issue, but could be vulnerable
to pace pressure, the distance and surface change. Your call.

SCRAPPY T (Fit to Fight) purposely skipped the Gotham in order to point
toward this event. The Robert Bailes trainee finished a close third in the
Whirlaway S. on February 12 after posting a gritty, front-running victory in the
Count Fleet S. in mid-January. The dark bay figures to get a ground-saving trip
around the first turn and gets a key rider change to Rafael Bejarano. He could
settle into a nice pocket trip and stick around for a share at 15-1 on the
morning line.

SURVIVALIST (Danzig), PAVO (Marquetry), GALLOPING GROCER (A. P Jet), NAUGHTY
NEW YORKER (Quiet American) and BYANOSEJOE (Cherokee Run) — the top five
finishers of the Gotham — all have a license to win or hit the board.

The Shug McGaughey-trained Survivalist closed determinedly through the lane
on the far outside to win the Gotham by three parts of a length. He makes his
first start around two turns and picks up seven pounds, but the probable fast
pace should enhance his closing kick. Naughty New Yorker finished fourth, then
was placed third, after being struck across the face with a whip in the Gotham. The Pat Kelly trainee is a solid closer who adds first-time Lasix. He
rates our longshot special at 10-1 on the morning line.

Galloping Grocer likes to be in the mix early and was a close third as the
favorite in the Gotham after being brushed near the wire. He finished a game
second to Rockport Harbor (Unbridled’s Song) in the nine-furlong Remsen S. (G2)
last fall and must be given serious respect. The chestnut has consistently
earned triple-digit BRIS Speed figures and is a contender for all the marbles.

Pavo finished a game second before
being disqualified and placed fourth in the Gotham after jockey Alan Garcia
inadvertently struck Naughty New Yorker over the head during a furious stretch
drive. Garcia put on an amazing display of horsemanship in the Gotham after losing his
stirrups on the backstretch and continuing to ride Pavo to the wire. That said,
Pavo gets a rider change to Jerry Bailey, but is 0-for-3 around two turns.
Byanosejoe rallied wide around the turn, altered course to the inside, and then
closed gamely for fifth in the Gotham. He also makes his first start around two
turns and could rally from off the pace.