Wood Memorial

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Exciting Gotham S. (G3) winner I WANT REVENGE (Stephen Got Even) drew the rail

for Saturday's $750,000 Wood Memorial S. (G1) at Aqueduct, and the Jeff Mullins

trainee looks especially tough in here. The vastly improved colt began his

career in the Golden State with a trio of third-place finishes prior to breaking

his maiden in his two-turn debut. A huge second in the CashCall Futurity (G1)

followed, and in his three-year-old bow, the colt was beaten 1 1/2 lengths in the Robert B. Lewis

S. (G2). Making his dirt debut in the Gotham, the Kentucky-bred exploded to an 8

1/2-length score while registering a whopping 113 BRIS Speed figure. The dark

bay isn't facing much better in here and we expect another daylight score under

Joe Talamo.

IMPERIAL COUNCIL (Empire Maker) finished a late second in the Gotham in his

stakes debut and has never run poorly for Shug McGaughey. The well-bred colt

certainly has room for improvement and should like the nine panels in here, but

we don't see how he can make up 8 1/2 lengths in four weeks.

Grade 3 victor WEST SIDE BERNIE (Bernstein) didn't show much in the Lane's

End S. (G2) last time but is capable of running a big one in this spot for

conditioner Kelly Breen. The talented dark bay finished a good third with a wide trip in the Holy Bull S. (G3) in his three-year-old bow, and he should be

very fit for this engagement off the two-week rest. The late runner could finish

second with a clear trip.

JUST A COINCIDENCE (Forestry) has put together two wins in a row for trainer

Nick Zito and has never been better leading up to this contest. The chestnut

faced fine competition as a juvenile and may have finally put it all together

for his connections, as we loved that bullet half-mile drill readying for this

race. The sophomore is an exotics threat beneath John Velazquez.

LIME RICKEY (Lemon Drop Kid) is a wildcard in this one as he'll be making his

dirt debut for Frank Alexander. The steady turf performer has run second in

three straight stakes events, so it's not inconceivable that he'd fire late on

the main strip at a square price.

LORD JUSTICE (A.P. Indy) is progressing at the right time for Todd Pletcher,

topping a nice one in a recent allowance/optional claiming race, but we don't envision him

finishing any better than third with significant improvement.

ATOMIC RAIN (Smart Strike) had a fine juvenile campaign, finishing second in

the Remsen S. (G2), and was a game second in an allowance at Gulfstream Park in

his sophomore debut for Breen. But the bay hasn't impressed since, and he looked

bad late in a recent allowance test at Gulfstream Park, when he tired badly in

the stretch. He's another we'll pass on. Note that he is coupled in the wagering

with stablemate West Side Bernie.

CELLAR DWELLER (Rahy) has one win from 10 starts and looks a cut or two

below the top ones in this field. We'll let the Paraneck colt beat us.