Meet the Contenders: 2024 Wood Memorial Stakes
Deterministic (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
April 3rd, 2024
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Wood Memorial Stakes at Aqueduct. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents opportunity to perform well. Be sure to follow these contenders by adding them to your Stable Alerts.
Resilience (Photo by Coglianese Photography / Credit to Lauren King)
#1 Resilience ****
Pro: Solid fourth in his stakes debut, a deep renewal of the Risen Star (G2).
Con: Needs to quicken a little to catch the likes of Deterministic, Tuscan Sky.
El Grande O (Photo by Coglianese Photography/Credited to Chelsea Durand)
#2 El Grande O ***
Pro: Consistent player in all the Derby preps here this winter, though hasn’t won any.
Con: Distance limitations still a major concern for this speedy colt.
#3 Lonesome Boy **
Pro: Ten-start veteran crushed minor stakes foes at Parx when last seen.
Con: Despite winning three of last four, Washington-bred has class questions to answer.
Deterministic winning the Gotham (G3) at Aqueduct (Photo by Coglianese Photos/Chelsea Durand)
#4 Deterministic *****
Pro: Huge win in the Gotham (G3) off a lengthy absence and nine furlongs should suit.
Con: Enjoyed ideal trips both races and won’t offer much value in first two-turn try.
Deterministic gained 50 points on the Road to @KentuckyDerby 150 with a win in the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct on Saturday!
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) March 4, 2024
Click the link below to add him to your TwinSpires Stable Alerts!#NeverMissAWinner ⤵️ https://t.co/iUFYXoN07r pic.twitter.com/DQrDxFNja7
Aqueduct (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
#5 Protective *
Pro: Late developer has upside and adds blinkers for this.
Con: Hard to endorse for all after two losses in the maiden ranks.
Evening News win at Turfway Park (Photo by Coady Photography)
#6 Evening News **
Pro: Has shown a big turnaround in form this season, though with Lasix and on Tapeta.
Con: Lone previous try on the dirt leaves much to be desired.
Three wins tonight for "the ax man" @luanmachado85! 💪 @cp365
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) March 9, 2024
#3 Evening News dominates at 6/1 in the finale at Turfway Park for trainer Michael Pino! 📰
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/2kV5oqkunR
Merit (Coglianese Photography)
#7 Merit **
Pro: Barn won this last year with a big longshot, and this one has better credentials.
Con: Recent allowance form wasn’t flattered in the Florida Derby (G1).
Elysian Meadows (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
#8 Elysian Meadows **
Pro: Undefeated over this track, albeit against softer New York-bred foes.
Con: Exits a distant fourth in a modest renewal of the Sam F. Davis (G3).
Tuscan Sky winning his debut at Aqueduct (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
#9 Tuscan Sky *****
Pro: Stakes newcomer has looked solid winning for barn that has won this seven times.
Con: Hasn’t yet run over a fast surface but that’s a relatively minor quibble.
#7 Tuscan Sky stays perfect in R3 @fairgroundwsnola for trainer Todd Pletcher and owner @spendthriftfarm with @luissaezpty in the irons!
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) February 17, 2024
🎙️ @JohnGDooley#TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/44osjlnn0T
Gettysburg Address (Photo by Coady Photography)
#10 Gettysburg Address **
Pro: Has been battle tested against some decent horses, like Catching Freedom.
Con: Once promising colt has struggled against allowance company of late.
#6 Gettysburg Address gets the job done in R4 at Ellis Park under Martin Chuan for trainer @bradcoxracing! 🤩
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) August 6, 2023
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/98IOnZc11A
Aqueduct (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
#11 Society Man *
Pro: Exits decisive maiden win, albeit with pace help and addition of Lasix.
Con: Showed little in Withers (G3), and this is an even tougher spot.
Deposition (Photo by Equiphoto)
#12 Deposition *
Pro: Wet tracks have been troublesome for him but should get fast conditions here.
Con: Barn tends to ambitiously spot their horses, and this is no exception.
Uncle Heavy wins at Parx Racing (Photo by Equi-Photo / Credit to Bill Denver)
#13 Uncle Heavy ***
Pro: Bravely rallied to win Withers off slow pace; consistent colt has won three of four.
Con: Lost training time due to quarantine and outside post not ideal.
Uncle Heavy finished strong as an underdog to win the Withers Stakes at Aqueduct in a photo finish to gain 20 points on the Road to @KentuckyDerby 150!
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) February 5, 2024
Click the link below to add him to your TwinSpires Stable Alerts!#NeverMissAWinner ⤵️ https://t.co/BQiP3VWGQx pic.twitter.com/e23WFKCbhu
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