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War Pass will have a lot to prove as he competes against nine 3-year-old horses in the $750,000 Wood Memorial (gr. I) on April 5 at Aqueduct.
The Wood Memorial at 1 1/8 miles is one of the major prep races for the 2008 Kentucky Derby. There are 11 Wood Memorial winners who went on to become one of the winners of the Kentucky Derby, 4 of whom went on to capture the Triple Crown title.
All starters carrying 123 pounds, the field for the 84th running of the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on Saturday with jockeys:
Nick Zito trainee War Pass is coming off a last place finish in the March 15 Tampa Bay Derby, 23 1/4 lengths behind Big Truck, one of the leading 2008 Kentucky Derby contenders. War Pass, owned by Robert LaPenta, had his only work between the Tampa Bay Derby and the Wood Memorial on March 27, going half a mile in :47 2/5 at Palm Meadows in Florida.
“His work last week was great,” said horse trainer Nick Zito. “From what I can see, he’s going to put in a good effort.”
With a forecast for heavy rain on Friday, War Pass could make his 3rd start over a wet track. To this point he is 2-for-2 over non-fast surfaces, including his Breeders’ Cup Juvenile triumph last fall at Monmouth Park. Jockey Cornelio Velasquez will ride War Pass from post five in the Wood Memorial.
Longshot Anak Nakal, horse trainer Nick Zito’s other starter in the Wood Memorial, will break from post 10 with jockey Alan Garcia. Anak Nakal will be equipped with blinkers.
Horse trainer Todd Pletcher sends out Gotham Stakes runner-up Texas Wildcatter and allowance race winner Spurrier to the Wood Memorial. Texas Wildcatter will break from the rail with Eibar Coa. His stablemate, Spurrier, will break right to his outside with Stewart Elliott.
Court Vision and Inner Light will be coupled as they are both owned by IEAH Stables.
Tale of Ekati, last year’s Futurity winner at Belmont Park, home of the 2008 Belmont Stakes, will be making his second start of 2008. Tale of Ekati made his seasonal debut finishing 6th behind Pyro in the Louisiana Derby last March 8 at the Fair Grounds.
The Wood Memorial is scheduled as the 9th race in Aqueduct’s April 5 horse racing program. Estimated post time is 5:15 pm EST.
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