New York’s Street to the 2026 Kentucky Derby offered by Woodford Reserve ends this Saturday. Aqueduct hosts $750,000 Grade 2 Wooden Memorial Stakes Introduced by Resorts World On line casino On dust it is 1⅛ miles. The profitable horse will obtain 100 factors to qualify for the Derby, second place will obtain 50 factors, third place will obtain 25 factors, fourth place will obtain 15 factors and fifth place will obtain 10 factors.
The race was first held in 1925 and was named in honor of Eugene Wooden, the primary president of the outdated Jamaica Racecourse. The race was held in Jamaica till the Jamaican circuit closed in 1959, and has been held at Aqueduct ever since. From its inception till 1939, it was contested over 1 mile and 70 yards, then prolonged to 1 1/16 miles in 1940, after which to its present distance in 1952. The race was Grade 1 from 1973 to 1994 and Grade 1 once more from 2002 to 2016. No races had been held in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Coach Todd Pletcher received the 2022 race with eventual Belmont Stakes winner Moe Donegal, giving Pletcher his seventh Wooden Memorial win since 2010. Sir Miles pulled off a serious upset in 2023 at odds of 59.25 to 1. Resilience gave Corridor of Fame coach Invoice Mott his second win within the 2024 race. Corridor of Fame coach Bob Baffert received his first race with Rodriguez a yr in the past. There have been 11 Wooden Memorial winners, most just lately Fusaichi Pegasus profitable the Kentucky Derby in 2000.
Let’s have a look again on the Wooden Memorial’s prime winners.
Daring Ruler (1957)
Profession: 33 begins, 23 wins, 4 seconds 2, 1/3
Profession revenue: $764,204
Daring Ruler was a part of the long-lasting 3-year-olds of 1957, which additionally included Corridor of Fame horses Roundtable and Gallant Man. He entered his third marketing campaign in a blended state. He received the distinguished Futurity Stakes at Belmont Park in September, however had mediocre performances in each the Backyard State Stakes and Remsen Stakes.
He was despatched to Florida to start his 3-year-old season and obtained off to a robust begin. He received two stakes races, together with the Flamingo Stakes at Hialeah Park, and completed second to Kentucky Derby favourite Common Duke in two extra races. After these performances, Daring Ruler was really helpful as the primary or second favourite within the Wooden Memorial, the ultimate pre-derby race.
In Jamaica, 42,122 followers turned out to observe the Wooden Memorial on the third Saturday in April to observe a thriller. Eddie Arcaro despatched Daring Ruler into his ordinary place within the early lead and established management whereas organising an inexpensive fraction. As the sphere approached the half-mile pole, Johnny Choquette moved Gallant Man to interact the chief, however the two remained locked in a struggle to the tip. In an thrilling stretch showdown, Daring Ruler received by a nostril, setting a brand new observe and stakes report in 1:48⅘. The betting mark remained for nearly 20 years.
Two weeks later, Daring Ruler was the favourite to win the Kentucky Derby with a report of 6 wins and 5 losses. He didn’t reside as much as expectations and completed an unthreatening fourth place. He bounced again with a victory within the Preakness Stakes and was topped 3-year-old champion on the finish of the season.
Though Daring Ruler loved nice success on the racetrack, he’s equally recognized for his accomplishments as a stallion. He was the main sire eight instances and was a prolific sire. His eldest son is Secretariat, one in every of 11 year-end champions sired by Bald Ruler.
Damascus (1967)
Profession: 32 begins, 21 wins, 7 seconds 3, third place
Profession revenue: $1,176,781
Damascus was a stable favourite to win the 1967 Wooden Memorial, going 7-10. He was a late-blooming 2-year-old horse that debuted on September twenty eighth throughout his freshman season. He completed that season with a victory within the Remsen Stakes. In his second begin as a 3-year-old horse, he received the Bayshore Stakes by two and a half lengths, however then misplaced within the Gotham Stakes to Dr. Fager.
With out Dr. Fager on the Wooden Monument, Damascus cruised towards a straightforward victory. Invoice Shoemaker credited Department and Gala Efficiency, a pair of well-known colts, for placing him off the tempo whereas posting quick fractions. Damascus chased the leaders across the flip and regardless of mild resistance from the gala efficiency, he pulled away in a straight line to win by six lengths and cease the clock in 1 minute 49.35 seconds.
Damascus was the consensus 1.70-1 favourite for the Kentucky Derby two weeks later, however completed third behind Proud Clarion. He was just about good the remainder of the yr, profitable the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes with ease. After the Triple Crown, Damascus received seven out of 9 races, however misplaced simply two noses and was unable to complete the second half of the yr completely. Headliner received the Travers Stakes by 22 lengths and the Woodward Stakes by 10 lengths over Dr. Fager and Buckpasser. For his accomplishments, Damascus was named Horse of the 12 months in 1967.
Silly Pleasures (1975)
Profession: 26 begins, 16 wins, 4 seconds 3, 3 seconds
Profession revenue: $1,216,705
Like Bald Ruler and Damascus earlier than him, Silly Pleasure entered the Wooden Memorial as a extremely regarded stallion searching for redemption. He turned the champion 2-year-old colt in 1974 after an ideal season of seven races and seven wins, profitable his first two races as a 3-year-old. A stunning loss within the Florida Derby by the hands of Prince Tuart ruined his good report.
Silly Pleasure got here near Wooden Memorial, however suffered an enormous collapse when he pulled an excessive outdoors put up place within the 15-horse subject. With a brief run into the primary flip, Silly Pleasure was up in opposition to it from the beginning.
Jockey Jacinto Vazquez had little alternative however to ship his mount out aggressively, which he did, encouraging Silly Pleasure to take the lead from the beginning and protect the sphere as a lot as attainable. Regardless of Vasquez’s finest efforts, Silly Pleasure was caught three-wide close to the primary flip. He took the lead on the backstretch and completed third, ending behind the leaders. When the sphere turned house, pacers Bombay Geese had been nonetheless within the lead and it seemed as if a large journey would imply defeat for Silly Pleasure. The Bombay Geese held the lead for the ultimate eight innings, however Vazquez gave it his all for Silly Pleasure and executed it admirably, profitable by a head.
Silly Pleasure was as soon as once more the Kentucky Derby favourite, turning into the primary horse to win the Wooden Memorial and Kentucky Derby since 1946 Triple Crown winner Assault. Though Silly Pleasure completed second in each the Preakness and Belmont, he had a number of extra stakes wins over the remainder of his profession, together with a nostril victory over Forego within the 1976 Suburban Handicap.
Daring Forbes (1976)
Profession: 18 begins, 13 wins, 2nd place as soon as, third place 4 instances
Profession revenue: $546,536
Daring Forbes, a speedball from Laz Barrera’s Barn, was extremely praised on the 1976 Wooden Memorial. As a 2-year-old, he received his first seven races, none of which had been adopted. This profitable streak included an eight-length victory within the Saratoga Particular Stakes, which he was not often requested to run. He was shelved after that race and struggled within the first three races after his layoff, however bounced again with robust performances within the San Jacinto Stakes at Santa Anita Park and the Bayshore Stakes at Aqueduct. Outdoors of these wins, he was a robust 2-5 favourite at Wooden Memorial.
Jockey Angel Cordero Jr., who got here out of the fifth put up, was not very aggressive firstly. He allowed Daring Forbes to calm down early and charge him simply off the chief earlier than transferring up in entrance within the first quarter. By the half-mile mark, Daring Forbes was on the rail and within the lead by three lengths. He confronted some difficulties on the entrance of the straight, however simply fought them off to a draw and a 4 3/4 size victory.
With out Trustworthy Pleasure’s commanding presence, Daring Forbes would definitely have been the Kentucky Derby favourite. This stallion was a two-year-old champion who had received 4 graded stakes the earlier yr, and earlier than the Derby he had received three G1 races as a three-year-old. Trustworthy Pleasure scared off most three-year-olds as solely eight horses tried it on the primary Saturday in Might. He was chosen because the 2-5 favourite and Daring Forbes was the 3-1 second alternative.
Within the Derby, Cordero despatched Daring Forbes to the entrance, opening up a five-length lead by the primary half-mile. Trustworthy Pleasure was additionally a robust lead horse, however he was unable to catch up within the early phases and was far behind in second place. Though he lined up with Daring Forbes within the straight line, he was unable to get away, and Daring Forbes held on by one size for the gate-to-wire upset.
Daring Forbes completed third within the Preakness after which received in dramatic trend on the Belmont. Cordero maintained his pace all through the 1.5-mile race, opening up a six-length lead on the backstretch. When Daring Forbes returned house, he was exhausted however nonetheless far forward of the opposite gamers, and Cordero started to encourage him. Mackenzie Bridge was blown away ultimately, however Cordero managed the race completely and Boldforbes held on and received by a slender margin.
Seattle Air Raid (1977)
Profession: 17 begins, 14 wins, 2 seconds 2, third place 0
Profession revenue: $1,208,726
Seattle Slew entered the 1977 Wooden Memorial with an ideal resume. Awkward-looking for a yearling, this horse was bought on the 1975 Fasig-Tipton Yearling Sale for simply $17,500. From the start, the value appeared like a discount. He received three races for 2-year-olds, together with the Champagne Stakes, by a complete of 18 1/4 lengths, all of which had been unbeaten. Regardless of having a comparatively mild season, he was topped the 2-year-old male champion.
Seattle Slew’s first two begins as a 2-year-old had been equally spectacular. He set a seven-furlong observe report in his season debut at Hialeah Park and received the Flamingo Stakes on the similar observe by 4 lengths in his two-turn debut. As a remaining preparation for the Derby, he was despatched to Wooden Memorial, the place he was the favourite with 1 win and 10 losses.
In distinction to the Flamingos, who had a really quick charge early on, the Seattle Slew obtained away with a modest tempo on the wooden. He handed the primary quarter mile in 23 ⅘ seconds, adopted by the half mile in 47 ⅘ seconds. From there he pulled away and crossed the end line by three and 1 / 4 lengths. At one level, he was within the lead with a six-length distinction, however second place Sanhedrin caught up and closed the hole.
There was some doubt about how Seattle Slew would deal with 1 1/4 miles within the Kentucky Derby, however that did not cease the betting public from pegging him as a 1-2 favourite. He held the lead within the quick fraction, however pulled away within the straight line and received by 1 3/4 lengths. He then went on to win the Preakness and the Belmont, turning into the primary undefeated Triple Crown winner. He was additionally the person who received the Wooden Memorial three years in a row and received the Kentucky Derby.
Nice Colony (1981)
Profession: 14 begins, 6 wins, 3 seconds, 1 inning
Profession revenue: $965,383
The 1981 Wooden Memorial seemed just like the coronation of Remedy the Blues. He completed second within the Gotham Stakes, however previous to that race he had received six races in a row. Speedy coach Leroy Jolly was the heavy favourite with a six-horse subject of 1 win and 5 losses, and seemed like a transparent favourite for the Kentucky Derby two weeks later.
Not many individuals paid consideration to Nice Colony. He ran his first particular prize race, the Wooden Memorial, on the Meadowlands in September 1980 and received solely as soon as. In his debut race on the age of three, he misplaced by a nostril on the Fountain of Youth, and did effectively, ending fifth within the Florida Derby. After that race, he was moved to the barn of coach John Campo, who gave the Wooden Memorial driving to Jeff Fell at Nice Colony. He was thought-about an outsider at 12.70-1.
Remedy the Blues took the lead within the early phases, however had been quickly pressed from the surface by Noble Nashua, the second favourite. The pair ran by quick sections, finishing the primary quarter mile in 22 ⅘ seconds and the half mile in 45 ⅘ seconds. In the meantime, Fel saved Nice Colony in third place, far behind the dueling leaders.
As the sphere took its remaining flip, Noble Nashua started to offer approach and Remedy the Blues started to open up. He was turning the lead towards house, however Nice Colony was rolling on the surface. Remedy the Blues, exhausted by the ferocious early tempo, stalled, however Nice Colony simply overtook him and received by three lengths. Remedy the Blues completed third, eight lengths behind the upset winner.
Nice Colony completed second within the derby with a report of seven wins and a couple of losses. As Fell set off to experience favourite Proud Attraction, Jorge Velasquez rode Wooden’s winner in his place. As with Wooden, the tempo was electrical. The main focus of the speedball allowed them to finish the primary quarter in 21.5 seconds, which stays the quickest first quarter in Derby historical past. The half mile was 45 1/5 seconds as effectively. By the ultimate nook, all of the pace horses had burned out, and Nice Colony, who had been seventeenth within the early phases, took benefit of the change in tempo as soon as once more. He overcame Woodchopper’s opposition and received the derby by half a size. That is the fifth time prior to now seven years {that a} Derby winner has run within the Wooden Memorial (along with the 4 winners talked about above, the filly Real Danger was third within the Wooden Memorial in 1980 earlier than profitable the Derby).
Two weeks later, Nice Colony received the Preakness by a size, however might solely end third within the Triple Crown problem on the Belmont.
By way of O’Gold (1983)
Profession: 21 begins, 12 wins, 5 seconds, 1 third place
Profession revenue: $3,533,534
Six years after Seattle Slew received the Wooden Memorial Award, one in every of his best sons, Slew Ogold, achieved the identical factor.
Via O’Gold was the most well-liked of the seven horses, however he was not as extremely thought to be his father. He competed in two stakes at Tampa Bay Downs earlier within the season, however not one of the stakes wins lived as much as his accomplishments within the wooden. Ten days earlier than the race, he attracted consideration with a surprising victory within the allowance race at Aqueduct by seven and three-quarters of a size.
That yr’s Wooden Memorial drew an overflow subject of 19 horses. In consequence, the race was cut up into two divisions, with Via O’Gold advancing to what was thought-about the harder of the 2 divisions. Since common jockey Angel Cordero Jr. was suspended, he was ridden by Eddie Maple.
The Wooden Memorial was a landmark race for Via Ogold. He was barely off the tempo and took the lead as the sphere entered the stretch. He dueled in a straight line with Parfeman, a 3-year-old horse who was additionally extremely rated, and stood as much as win by a slender margin. This victory saved the Sidney Watters steady. Via O’Gold’s stablemate, Slupy, completed an unthreatening seventh place within the different divisions, so Slew O’Gold’s victory ensured Watters would win the Kentucky Derby.
Via O’Gold completed fourth within the Derby, however blossomed within the second half of his three-year-old season. He completed second within the Belmont and Travers, however received the Woodward and Jockey Membership Gold Cups in opposition to older horses. He received most of New York’s main outdated horse races, however misplaced the Marlboro Cup by a neck to Highland Blade. The next yr, Via O’Gold accomplished a triple.
Straightforward Goer (1989)
Profession: 20 begins, 14 wins, 5 seconds, 1 third place
Profession revenue: $4,873,770
Straightforward Goer was destined for greatness from beginning. This horse was the sire of Alydar, a sire of the profitable mare Stress-free. Racing in Ogden Phipps’ iconic black and purple silks underneath the skilled care of coach Shag McGaughey, the horse was named the 1988 Champion Two-12 months-Previous Stallion after spectacular wins at Cowdin and Champagne. Though he completed the season in second place within the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, he nonetheless loomed giant as a serious risk within the Kentucky Derby.
Straightforward Goa received the Swale Stakes in his 3-year-old debut. Subsequent, he captured the creativeness of horse racing followers by profitable Gotham in a detailed 13-length race. In doing so, he lined the mile in 1:32⅖, breaking Secretariat’s stakes report by a second and simply lacking Dr. Fager’s world report time.
Two weeks later, Straightforward Goer had his remaining derby tune-up at Wooden Memorial. 5 horses made a valiant problem to him, however none got a lot of an opportunity. He was the favourite to win at 1-10, however nobody else within the subject was higher than 10-1.
The race went precisely as deliberate. Pat Day rated Straightforward Gore’s pace-setting Diamond Donny off and elevated the stress much more because the race progressed. Because the horses approached the far flip, Straightforward Gore lined up on the entrance. He took the lead in a straight line with minimal prodding and received by three lengths.
On the primary Saturday in Might, Straightforward Gore and Oh Inspiring had been the favorites with 4 wins and 5 losses. That day, he was upset by California upstart Sunday Silence, who beat Straightforward Gore by two and a half lengths. Within the Preakness, Straightforward Gore was an excellent larger favourite at odds of 3-5. In one of the crucial dramatic races in trendy historical past, Straightforward Gore and Sunday Silence engaged in an extended duel, however Sunday Silence prevailed, profitable the Preakness by a nostril.
Straightforward Gore turned the tables in dramatic trend at Belmont. He beat Sunday Silence by eight lengths in 2 minutes 26 seconds, the second quickest time in Belmont historical past. Straightforward Gore received 4 extra races in a row after the Belmont, dominating the New York circuit with open-length scores within the Whitney, Travers, Woodward and Jockey Membership Gold Cup. He then confronted Sunday Silence once more within the Breeders’ Cup Basic at Gulfstream Park, however Sunday Silence received Horse of the 12 months by a neck.
Satan’s Destiny (1992)
Profession: 41 begins, 11 wins, 12 seconds, 3/3
Profession revenue: $3,920,405
Corridor of Fame coach Allen Jerkens was referred to as the “Big Killer” due to his tendency to trigger upsets in main races. Nonetheless, within the 1992 Wooden Memorial, he performed in opposition to the Giants.
The Satan His Do placed on a dramatic efficiency in Gotham, profitable first place after an extended duel and a useless warmth with future Corridor of Famer Lure. Lure headed to Keeneland for his subsequent begin, however Satan Hidden nonetheless had loads of competitors at Wooden Memorial. He competed in opposition to 11 horses and began as a 2.80-1 second alternative behind a number of Grade 1 finisher Snappy Touchdown.
Mike Smith was affected person within the early going of the Satan His Do and did not recognize Goldwater, who was aggressively ridden from the surface put up to take the lead. Because the pacesetter fell again, Satan His Do jumped out and took agency management with eight miles to go. West by West made a rapid bounce, however Satan His Do had sufficient margin to win by one size.
Jerkens was uncertain whether or not to experience Satan His Do within the Derby, however determined to make the journey. His cost briefly elevated his tempo, however he slumped after that and completed twelfth. Satan His Do was extra than simply reclaiming himself as an outdated horse. As a four-year-old horse in 1993, he received 4 graded stakes races, together with three G1 races. In 1994, he received three extra graded stakes and received the distinguished Suburban Handicap for the second yr in a row.
Crimson wine (2018)
Profession: Began 15 video games, received 6, positioned 2nd, 1st, third and third
Profession revenue: $4,803,125
As befits a horse with that title, Vinorosso has improved with age. The horse received the Wooden Memorial for the primary time in 2018, and it was the second victory within the race for proprietor Mike Lepore of Lepore Stables, owned in partnership with Vincent Viola’s St. Elias Stables.
Vino Rosso, who got here out on the surface in a nine-horse subject, was ranked sixth behind Previous Time Revival, the free-spirited chief who recorded an awesome lead within the early phases. In the meantime, John Velasquez positioned Vino Rosso in a snug place for the second go. As Baba rounded the ultimate nook, Previous Time Revival drained and Vino Rosso chased the leaders, transferring large. Favored Enticed made an analogous transfer and the 2 dueled within the stretch. Within the remaining eight corners, Vino Rosso received by three lengths.
Though he didn’t win any stakes for the rest of his three-year-old season, Vinorosso blossomed as a four-year-old. He received three stakes races, together with the Gold Cup at Santa Anita and the Breeders’ Cup Basic. He turned the primary Wooden Memorial winner to realize Breeders’ Cup Basic glory.
MO Donegal (2022)
Profession: 7 begins, 4 wins, 0 seconds, 2/3
Profession revenue: $1,511,800
Moe Donegal made his 3-year-old debut with a third-place end within the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park on February 5, 2022, from which he’ll enter the NYRA Bets Introduced by the 2022 Grade 2 $750,000 Wooden Memorial Stakes at Aqueduct on April 9 in the hunt for sufficient qualifying factors to safe a spot within the 2022 Kentucky beginning gate. Derby Introduced by Woodford Reserve.
Moe Donegal stepped up with a robust efficiency and received the Wooden Memorial Award. He was off the tempo and closed with a sustained late surge to wind up the pacesetter and subsequent Preakness Stakes winner early voting by a neck. He accomplished the 1 1/8 mile in 1 minute, 47.96 seconds and the ultimate eighth mile in about 12 1/5 seconds. He secured 100 qualifying factors for the Run for the Roses, guaranteeing a spot within the beginning gate at Churchill Downs on Might seventh.
Within the Kentucky Derby, Moe Donegal had the misfortune of tying for the rail put up place. He made an enormous stretch down the stretch and squeezed again to complete fifth.
5 weeks later, Moe Donegal resurfaced within the Belmont Stakes offered by NYRA Bets. He fell simply in need of the early lead, however then took management down the stretch, overlaying 1 1/2 miles in 2:28.28 and coming near profitable. It was co-owner Mike Lepore’s first Belmont winner, coach Todd Pletcher’s fourth and junior jockey Irad Ortiz’s second. Sadly, the Belmont Stakes could be the final race of Moe Donegal’s profession, however the horse had already made a reputation for himself because of wins within the Belmont Stakes and the Wooden Memorial.
