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Woodlander returns to winning ways in Fort Marcy Winning Move Stable and Martin J. Minnella's WOODLANDER (Forestry) took the lead in the stretch and determinedly held off a challenge from Golden Commander (Deputy Commander) to take the $114,100 Fort Marcy H. (G3) by a neck over the good Aqueduct turf on Sunday. Trained by Gary Contessa and piloted by Alan Garcia, the five-year-old settled in good striking position early along the inside and came out turning for home to commence his winning run. The final time for 1 1/16 miles was 1:44 4/5, and the 12-1 shot rewarded backers with mutuels of $27.20, $10.60 and $5.60. Golden Commander slipped back to last after the opening six furlongs but showed excellent energy late to earn the place spot. The nearly 4-1 runner-up was worth $5.40 and $3.40 while completing the $115.50 exacta. Grand Couturier (GB) (Grand Lodge), the 9-5 choice, finished well between rivals to earn third, two lengths clear of his nearest pursuer. Show paid $2.90, and the trifecta was worth $402. Cosmic Kris (Storm Creek) was next and followed by Pa Pa Da (Incurable Optimist), Baron Von Tap (Pleasant Tap) and Ecclesiastic (Pulpit). Broadway Producer (Not For Love), and main-track only entrants Evening Attire (Black Tie Affair [Ire]), Malibu Moonshine (Malibu Moon), Monopoly Pricing (Horse Chestnut [SAf]), Take the Bluff (Pine Bluff) and Tall Story (Quiet American) were withdrawn. Woodlander earned his first win in more than a year to boost his career earnings to $276,714 from a 17-5-2-2 career line. The bay captured the Lexington S. (G3), and placed in the Saranac S. (G3) and Jamaica H. (G3). The winner was bred in Kentucky by Mike Connelly and was purchased for $350,000 at the 2003 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, prior to being acquired by his current connections. Produced from the unraced Madam Lagonza (Kingmambo), Woodlander has a pair of unraced half-sisters by Mineshaft, a two-year-old named Miner's Secret and an unnamed yearling. This is the same female family as 1991 Meadowlands Cup H. (G1) hero Twilight Agenda (Devil's Bag); four-time Group 1 star Refuse to Bend (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), a winner of the 2003 English Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1); 2002 Melbourne Cup (Aus-G1) victor Media Puzzle (Theatrical [Ire]); and 1990 Belmont S. (G1) winner Go and Go (Ire) (Be My Guest).
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