Iron Honor drawn widest in Wood Memorial

The $750,000 Wood Memorial (G2) on Saturday, the last edition of the race to be held at Aqueduct, will present a challenge for likely favorite Iron Honor. Not only will the Gotham (G3) winner's two-turn ability be tested, but to win the Nyquist colt will have to overcome post 13.

The first turn in the 1 1/8-mile Wood will come up quick for Iron Honor, who has good tactical speed but is in danger of getting hung wide in the first turn, which has seen some notable congestion in recent editions of the Wood.

Napoleon Solo, winner of the Champagne (G1) last fall, drew more favorably in post 1. However, he exits an uncompetitive run in the Fountain of Youth (G2), where he was beaten 11 lengths by Commandment and Chief Wallabee.

Talk to Me Jimmy, 11-length winner of the Withers S. over the track and distance two months ago, is a logical threat, while Right to Party might improve off his distant third-place run in the Gotham while getting an opportunity to stretch out around two turns.

Other potential players include Holy Bull (G3) runner-up Bravaro, the Todd Pletcher-trained Courting, and last-out maiden winners Steel and Albus. Grade 1-placed Buetane was most recently fourth as the favorite in the Virginia Derby, while Ottinho joins Iron Honor as a representative for the Chad Brown stable.

The Wood Memorial will offer Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying points of 100-50-25-15-10 to the respective top five finishers.

The $200,000 Gazelle (G3), a Kentucky Oaks (G1) prep over 1 1/8 miles, features Paradise, runaway winner of the Busher S. last time. Busher runner-up Nycon is also entered here, though also in the Ashland (G1) at Keeneland on Friday.

The Gazelle offers Oaks qualifying points of 100-50-25-15-10 to the respective top five finishers in the field of nine.

A couple of Eclipse Award winners will be competing on the undercard. Reigning champion male sprinter Book'em Danno makes his season debut in the $300,000 Carter (G2) over seven furlongs, but figures to get a stern test from undefeated Florida-bred star Rated by Merit, a four-time stakes winner who makes his debut in graded company.

The $150,000 Distaff (G3), also at seven furlongs, will feature 2024 juvenile filly champion Immersive.