Saturday’s Wood Memorial card at Aqueduct expands to 11 races, including four graded stakes that make up 400G guaranteed late pick 4: the Bay Shore, Excelsior, Wood and Carter Handicap (races 7-10). Post time for day’s last race is 6:24 p.m.
Wood is one of three major Derby preps run Saturday, along with Santa Anita Derby and Illinois Derby. Final chance to bet Kentucky Derby Future Wager begins when pool 3 opens today, closing at 6 p.m. Sunday. Future exacta betting also is available for $1 minimum.
* Gone but not forgotten: For second straight year, Curlin has won Secretariat Award as New York’s horse of the year as voted by the NY Turf Writers Assoc. Curlin’s owner, Jess Jackson, will be honored with Joe Hirsch Award as person who did the most for racing, and his trainer, Steve Asmussen, will receive C.V. Whitney Award for outstanding achievement at NYTWA’s 86th annual awards dinner, Aug. 24 at Saratoga National Golf Club.
* Big A main track opened yesterday, but you’d hardly know it as all nine races were won by jockeys who rode here through the winter, and eight of nine winners were coming off races over the inner dirt. Speed held very well, and short prices predominated; one winner paid 3-1, another 5-2, rest were below that.
FIFTH RACE: JJ’s Prophet went to front, pressed to his inside by Clay County, even-money favorite with Ramon Dominguez taking the mount after losing by half-length at this same 20G level Feb. 8. Heading toward the turn, Clay County dragged Dominguez up to take the lead and open daylight, was in hand trying to bear out turning for home, then kicked away top of stretch and looked like easy winner. But 9-2 Tonsina, far back early, came with rush up rail under C.C. Lopez to loom boldly in deep stretch, was getting to Clay County late but just missed.
EIGHTH RACE: After mad four-horse dash for lead, 2-1 Hale and Hearty emerged with lead down backside and opened daylight, then 2-1 favorite Half Metal Jacket rushed up outside under triple bug girl Andria Terrill to duel for lead heading into turn. Half Metal Jacket took command turning for home, then was confronted by Another Success rallying wide under Cornelio Velasquez. But Half Metal Jacket easily handled that challenge and kicked clear top of stretch to win handily.
PICK SIX
Winning numbers: 2-1-7-4-6-8
12 winners (6 of 6) paid $2,514
196 consolation (5 of 6) paid $51
No carryover