Thursday, March 31, 2011
Contact: NYRA Press Office
(718) 659-2240
AQUEDUCT RACETRACK NOTES
- Probable fields taking shape for Resorts World New York Casino Wood Memorial Day stakes
- NYRA to offer $500,000 guaranteed all-graded P4 on Wood Day
Owned by Mike Repole and trained by Todd Pletcher, Uncle Mo had a sensational juvenile campaign, including a 14 ½-length score in his debut at Saratoga Race Course, followed by dominant victories in the Grade 1 Champagne at Belmont Park and the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs, earning him Eclipse Award honors as 2010’s Champion Two-Year-Old Male.
The Wood Memorial will be his second start of 2011, having easily won his sophomore debut in the Timely Writer at Gulfstream Park, and his final race before May 7’s Kentucky Derby.
According to NYRA Stakes Coordinator Andrew Byrnes, other horses that are probable for the Wood Memorial are Duca, trained by Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas for owner Robert C. Baker, Isn’t He Perfect, trained by Doodnauth Shivmangal for Kharag Stables, and Norman Asbjornson, trained by Christopher Grove for Thomas G. McClay.
Heading the list of possible Wood Memorial contenders are Grade 1 Norfolk winner Jaycito, trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert for Zayat Stables, Grade 3 Gotham third-place finisher Toby’s Corner, trained by Graham Motion for Dianne D. Cotter, and Timely Writer runner-up
Other possibilities for the race are Arthur’s Tale, trained by Tom Albertrani for Darley Stables, Preachintothedevil, trained by Gary Contessa for Crossed Sabres Farm, and Starship Caesar, trained by Bisnath Parboo for Sherry Parbhoo.
The 1 1/8-mile Wood Memorial has long been a springboard to
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The Grade 1, $250,000 Carter at seven furlongs is expected to pit Calibrachoa, winner of the Grade 3 Toboggan and Grade 3 Tom Fool Handicap over the inner track in his two most recent starts, against Morning Line, victorious in last year’s Grade 2 Pennsylvania Derby.
Calibrachoa, claimed for $40,000 by Mike Repole and Todd Pletcher, has rattled off four consecutive wins, while Zabeel Racing International and Thoroughbred Legends Racing Stable’s Morning Line looks to regain the winning thread for trainer Nick Zito after finishing second by a head in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, third in the Grade 3 Hal’s Hope, and second in the Grade 1 Donn Handicap.
Calibrachoa’s stablemate Have You Ever is also expected to compete in the Carter, as are Fastus Cactus, Heritage Hall, Independence War, Seniors Pride and Sunrise Smarty.
Apriority, who received a Beyer Speed Figure of 113 for his optional claiming win at
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Among the probable entrants in the Grade 3, $200,000 Bay Shore for 3-year-olds going seven furlongs are four stakes winners: J J’s Lucky Train, winner of the Miracle Wood Stakes at Laurel, Royal Currier, winner of the Grey Planet at Belmont Park and the Southampton at Parx Racing, Smoke It Right, winner of the Lafayette at Evangeline Downs and the Mountain Valley at Oaklawn Park, and Vengeful Wildcat, winner of the Tyro at Monmouth Park. Also probable for the
Byrnes mentioned the following horses as possible for the Bay Shore: Sensational Slam, winner of the Fred “Cappy” Capossela at Aqueduct, Opening Move, Rift, Rocking Out, and
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The provisional field for the Grade 3, $150,000 Comely for 3-year-old fillies currently includes R Holiday Mood, winner of two straight over the inner track, including the Out Ruled overnight stakes, for E.
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NYRA will offer a $500,000 Guaranteed All-Graded Stakes Pick 4 on April 9 comprising the Grade 1, $1 million Resorts World New York Casino Wood Memorial, the Grade 1 Carter, the Grade 3 Bay Shore, and the Grade 3 Comely. The Pick 4 will include races 7 – 10, kicking off at approximately 4:09 p.m. EDT.
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