Aloha West captured a pair of optional claimers at Saratoga last summer and rallied to be a neck second in Keeneland's GII Phoenix S. Oct. 8. Dispatched at 11-1 in the Breeders' Cup Sprint, the dark bay closed strongly to spring the upset by a nose at Del Mar Nov. 6.

Godolphin's 'TDN Rising Star' Prevalence (Medaglia d'Oro) enters this of a good-looking score in a sloppy renewal of Keeneland's GIII Commonwealth S. Apr. 9. Fifth afer a bad start and wide trip in his seasonal bow at Gulfstream Feb. 5, he romped in a one-mile event there exactly one month later.

Also worth a look here are GI Carter H. second- and third-place finishers Reinvestment Risk (Upstart) and Mind Control (Stay Thirsty). 'TDN Rising Star' Reinvestment Risk was second to Jackie's Warrior in both the GI Hopeful S. and GI Champagne S., while Mind Control is a two-time Grade I winner.

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“I wasn't sure we'd get that close to [Nashville],” trainer Brendan Walsh said. “[The plan was] let [Prevalence] work his way into the race. They were going quick, but he looked comfortable the whole time. Tyler [Gaffalione] said he was just cruising along for him.”

“He's just a very smart horse,” Gaffalione said. “He does everything so easily. The first thing Brendan said was, 'Man, they went quick, but it looked like he was doing it well within himself,' and he really was.He has a high cruising speed, and he's a very intelligent horse. I had plenty left.”

Opening his account with a pair of flashy wins at Gulfstream last winter, Prevalence was off the board when stepped up in class for both the GII Wood Memorial S. and GII Pat Day Mile, after which he was shelved for the season. Returning Feb. 5 in a Gulfstream optional claimer, he finished fifth after a bad start and rebounded with a decisive score next out at that oval Mar. 5.

Pedigree Notes:
Prevalence is the 87th graded winner and the 163rd black-type scorer for Darley's Medaglia d'Oro. He is also the 17th graded victor and 28th black-type achiever out of a daughter of Ghostzapper. The Godolphin homebred is a half-sibling to Group 3 winner Estihdaaf and stakes winner Libreta (Girolamo). His 3-year-old half-brother Emirates Road (Quality Road) rallied to victory for Walsh and Godolphin in a seven-panel maiden special weight at Keeneland earlier on Saturday's card (video). Their dam Enrichment is a daughter of blue hen and Grade II winner Sahara Gold, making her a full-sister to MGISW Better Lucky and SW Final Frontier and a half to GSW Sahara Heat (A.P. Indy). Sahara Gold is a daughter of GI Breeders' Cup Sprint victress Desert Stormer (Storm Cat). Enrichment's recent produce includes a juvenile colt by Frosted and a yearling colt by Uncle Mo. She was bred back to Medaglia d'Oro.

Saturday, Keeneland
COMMONWEALTH S.-GIII, $300,000, Keeneland, 4-9, 4yo/up, 7f, 1:22.47, sy.
1–PREVALENCE, 118, c, 4, by Medaglia d'Oro
                1st Dam: Enrichment, by Ghostzapper
                2nd Dam: Sahara Gold, by Seeking the Gold
                3rd Dam: Desert Stormer, by Storm Cat
   1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN.
O/B-Godolphin, LLC; T-Brendan P. Walsh; J-Tyler Gaffalione.
$174,375. Lifetime Record: 7-4-0-0, $288,225. *1/2 to Libreta
(Girolamo), SW, $128,660; and Estihdaaf (Arch), GSW-UAE,
$183,491. Werk Nick Rating: F. Click for the
   eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 'TDN Rising Star'
2–Long Range Toddy, 118, h, 6, Take Charge Indy–Pleasant
Song, by Unbridled's Song. O-Zenith Racing; B-Willis Horton
Racing LLC (KY); T-Dallas Stewart. $56,250.
3–O Besos, 118, c, 4, Orb–Snuggs and Kisses, by Soto.
O-Bernard Racing LLC, Tagg Team Racing, West Point
Thoroughbreds and Stephens, Terry L.; B-L. Barrett Bernard
(KY); T-Gregory D. Foley. $28,125.
Margins: 2 1/4, HD, 1. Odds: 2.50, 45.20, 4.30.
Also Ran: Surveillance, South Bend, Three Technique, Manny Wah, Endorsed, Atoka, Nashville. Scratched: Sir Alfred James. Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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Thursday's Insights: GISW Kimari Looms Large in Gulfstream Allowance

3rd-Gulfstream, $55,000, Alw (C)/Opt. Clm ($62,500), 3-3, 4yo/up, f/m, 6 1/2f, 1:16.10, ft, 5 1/4 lengths.

If her 5 1/4-length tour de force in this Gulfstream allowance is any indication, 'TDN Rising Star' and GISW KIMARI (m, 5, Munnings–Cozze Up Lady {GSW, $407,169}, by Cozzene) has the potential for a big year ahead. Making her first start since for her new connections since being purchased for $2.7 million at last year's Fasig-Tipton November sale, Kimari was hard held early, merely got the whip waved at her in what was the most serene of hand rides, and pricked her ears as she crossed the wire. The bay won last April's GI Madison S. on the dirt at Keeneland, but has also been runner-up twice at Royal Ascot on the lawn (the 2020 G1 Commonwealth Cup and the 2019 G2 Queen Mary S.).

“She's been doing great,” trainer Wesley Ward said immediately after the race. “She's an immensely talented horse that's been plagued by physical injuries throughout her career and always overcame them. [Lately] she's been very, very sound.”

Ward has been Kimari's trainer from the outset, first for Ten Broeck Farm and now for the partnership of Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Westerberg Limited, and Jonathan Poulin. He indicated the team was leaning toward a defense of her Madison title for Kimari's next start. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

Saturday's Insights: Well-Bred Siblings to Graded Winners Debut

2nd-Gulfstream, $53,000, Msw, 3-5, 3yo, f, 7f, 1:23.38, ft, head.

There can be only one winner and it was the George Arnold trainee VETERANS HIGHWAY (f, 3, Quality Road–New Wave {SP, $122,423}, by Tale of the Cat), featured back in a January Insights on debut, who broke her maiden by a head with Todd Pletcher's $250,000 Keeneland September buy Falconet (Uncle Mo), the first foal for 2015 GI La Brea S. winner Birdatthewire (Summer Bird), filling out the exacta. Veterans Highway's dam is a half to dual surface GISW General Quarters (Sky Mesa) and a full-sister to Japanese MGSW A Shin Top (Tale of the Cat). The homebred winner hails from the always-prominent team of G. Watts Humphrey, Jr. and W. S. Farish. Other highlighted firsters in the race got some education, including Tiffany's Mo (Uncle Mo), Blini (Tapit), and Peligroso (Honor Code), while Signal from Noise (Arrogate) scratched. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

4th-Gulfstream, $53,000, Msw, 3-5, 3yo, 7f, 1:23.63, ft, neck.

It was Oak Ridge Farm's homebred FELIX (c, 3, Cupid–City by the Bay {MSW, $172,240}, by City Zip) who put his December second-place finish behind Saturday's GIII Gotham S. runner-up Dean's List (Speightstown) to good use as he bested a field of well-regarded debuters, including Town Branch (Street Sense), whose older full-brother Speaker's Corner would win the GII WinStar Gulfstream Park Mile S. impressively later on the card with a 106 Beyer Speed Figure. For the record, like Town Branch, MGSW Speaker's Corner didn't win his unveiling either. Hidden Plan (Street Sense), Mendenhall (Pioneerof the Nile), and Super Quality (Competitive Edge) each got some experience in their first outing. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

8th-Gulfstream, $55,700, Alw (C)/Opt. Clm ($62,500), 3-5, 4yo/up, 1m, 1:34.94, ft, 4 3/4 lengths.

PREVALENCE (c, 4, Medaglia d'Oro–Enrichment, by Ghostzapper), a Godolphin homebred and 'TDN Rising Star' last year who dabbled in graded company early in his career, came back after a freshening, shook off the rust, and got a 99 Beyer Speed Figure in an uber-impressive 4 3/4-length score. His lovely family includes his great-granddam Desert Stormer (Storm Cat), who beat the boys in the 1995 GI Breeders' Cup Sprint. His own dam is a half-sister to GSW Sahara Gold (Seeking the Gold), herself the dam of MGISW Better Lucky (Ghostzapper). Also returning from the bench was another 'TDN Rising Star' in Stage Raider (Pioneerof the Nile), a half to Triple Crown hero Justify (Scat Daddy). Stage Raider had the misfortune of stumbling at the start and has only lost two races, both to Prevalence. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

2nd-Santa Anita, $68,000, Msw, 3-5, 3yo, 6f, 1:09.97, ft, 7 1/2 lengths.

TAIBA (c, 3, Gun Runner–Needmore Flattery {MSW, $732,103}, by Flatter) had the sort of debut that keeps dreams alive and drives big auction prices. The colt was a $1.7-million Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream 2-year-old (:10 1/5) for Zedan Racing Stables, worked smartly last spring and summer, then went to the sidelines for five months before making a start. He returned to the worktab in November, cranked up with a bullet 1:12 3/5 six-furlong move (1/12) Feb. 27 at Santa Anita, and registered a powerhouse 7 1/2-length win Saturday to be named Gun Runner's latest 'TDN Rising Star'. The romp was good for a 103 Beyer Speed Figure, co-highest for a 3-year-old to date in 2022. Debuting in the same race was Tenth Street Don (Practical Joke), who raced wide. He was also a 2-year-old purchase, going to Holly and David Wilson for $240,000 at OBS April after working a furlong in :10 1/5. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

2nd-Aqueduct, $77,600, Msw, 3-5, 3yo, 1m, 1:39.59, ft, 1/2 length.

Chad Brown stablemates bookended the field, with $300,000 Keeneland November weanling buy and last August's 'Insighted' ELECTABILITY (g, 3, Quality Road–Spindle, by Hard Spun) prevailing to win his second start while Don the Jeweler (Into Mischief) settled at the back of the pack and drifted out late. Electability is from the same family as MGISW Lion Heart (Tale of the Cat). Don the Jeweler was an $875,000 Keeneland September yearling whose dam is a half-sister to GISWs Include Me Out (Include) and Check the Label (Stormin Fever). Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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A $95,000 Keeneland September purchase, Jackie's Warrior is perfect in four starts up to a mile, having stamped himself as the leader of his generation with powerful front-running victories in the GII Saratoga Special S. and GI Hopeful S. ahead of a 5 1/2-length tally in the Champagne that made him the one to beat in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile. In close attendance to a very demanding pace on Breeders' Cup Friday, the scopey bay colt poked a head in front between calls in the final stages, but weakened last to finish fourth, beaten just over three lengths behind champion Essential Quality (Tapit), in an effort better than it looks on paper. Connections understandably gave him one more chance to board the Triple Crown train in the GIII Southwest S. over a sloppy Oaklawn strip Feb. 27, but he tired after getting things very much his own way up front and checked in a distant eighth.

Godolphin's 'TDN Rising Star' Prevalence (Medaglia d'Oro) defeated next-out Keeneland maiden romper and Justify (Scat Daddy)'s 'Rising Star' half-brother Stage Raider (Pioneerof the Nile) by 8 1/2 lengths to graduate first time out over seven furlongs at Gulfstream Park Jan. 23. The homebred validated 1-10 favoritism in a one-mile allowance in Hallandale Mar. 11, but he wasn't quite ready for prime time when sixth, beaten five lengths, behind the Todd Pletcher-trained, Derby-bound duo of Bourbonic (Bernardini) and Dynamic One (Union Rags) in the GII Wood Memorial S. at Aqueduct Apr. 3. Prevalence worked a bullet three furlongs in :35 2/5 (1/5) over the Churchill main track Apr. 24.

Dream Shake (Twirling Candy) caused a bit of a dust-up in his career debut, winning by 4 3/4 lengths at 20-1 and earning a 96 Beyer Speed Figure in a 'Rising Star'-worthy performance. Third to fellow 'Rising Star' Life Is Good (Into Mischief) in the GII San Felipe S. and to Derby second choice Rock Your World (Candy Ride {Arg}) in the GI Santa Anita Derby, he, too, can benefit from this cutback in distance.

This race has been known to toss up the occasional long-priced winner and Sittin On Go (Brody's Cause) could be a live outsider. A debut graduate sprinting at Ellis Park last August, he defeated Derby entrants Midnight Bourbon (Tiznow) and Super Stock (Dialed In) to upset the GIII Iroquois S. over course and distance on the Derby undercard last September. Beaten nearly 50 lengths combined in his last three tries around two turns, the chestnut will try to make a run from out of it in a race that appears to be loaded with speed.

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The main track test will go as Saturday's eighth race with a 2:48 p.m. post time.

Trained by Steve Asmussen, Jackie's Warrior won his first four starts, a streak that included daylight victories in the Saratoga Special (G2), Hopeful (G1) and Champagne (G1). Jackie's Warrior finished third behind Essential Quality over a sloppy track at Oaklawn Park in the Southwest (G3) in his lone start of 2021.

Joel Rosario has the mount and will exit post three.

Figuring to be one of the main challengers to Jackie's Warrior is Godolphin's homebred Prevalence.

Trained by Brendan Walsh, Prevalence started his career with two blowout victories before finishing sixth in the Wood Memorial (G2) in his most recent start. Tyler Gaffalione has the mount from post five.

The field for the Pat Day Mile, with riders and weights from the rail out, is:

1. Three Two Zone (Kendrick Carmouche, 118 pounds)
2. Ultimate Badger (Joe Talamo, 118)
3. Jackie's Warrior (Rosario, 122)
4. Defunded (Irad Ortiz Jr., 118)
5. Prevalence (Gaffalione, 118)
6. Starrininmydreams (Luis Saez, 118)
7. Whiskey Double (Ricardo Santana Jr., 118)
8. Dream Shake (Flavien Prat, 118)
9. Sittin On Go (Corey Lanerie, 118)
10. Dreamer's Disease (David Cohen, 118)
11. Noble Reflection (John Velazquez, 118)
12. Joe Frazier (Florent Geroux, 118)

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The 96th running of the Wood Memorial, offering 100-40-20-10 Derby qualifying points to the top-four finishers, was not contested in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But Bourbonic, making his first stakes appearance in his sixth start, ensured the 729-day gap between runnings was memorable, rallying from last-of-nine at the top of the stretch before jockey Kendrick Carmouche tipped him out and saw his charge pick off rivals one-by-one.

Calumet Farm's Bourbonic surged through the wire from the middle of the fast main track, besting Dynamic One in the final jumps to complete the 1 1/8-mile course in 1:54.49 and earn the triple-digit Derby points for the Kentucky homebred.

It marked the sixth Wood Memorial victory for Pletcher, who previously won with Eskendereya [2010], Gemologist [2012], Verrazano [2013], Outwork [2016] and Vino Rosso [2018]. Pletcher's 55 Derby starters are a record that could soon be bolstered.

“We always felt this horse would handle added distance,” said Pletcher, who trails only Hall of Famer Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons' record eight Wood Memorial wins for the most all time. “He was able to get a perfect trip and sit back and make one late run. He was able to get there just in time. It was a big effort.

“To have any chance, I think the only way he could be successful was to stay back and make one late run,” he added. “He doesn't have any early speed.”

The Wood Memorial – the signature race for the 126-year-old racetrack – saw a fellow longshot, 70-1 Market Maven, break sharp from the outside post and go to the lead around the near turn, going the opening quarter-mile in 24.88 seconds and the half in 50.18. Weyburn, a nose winner of the Grade 3 Gotham last out, continued to pressure the pacesetter in second position, with three-quarters going in 1:14.98.

Out of the turn, Dynamic One worked to gain the edge to the outside of Weyburn at the top of the stretch, with Bourbonic still bringing up the rear.

But Carmouche said he knew his horse still had plenty left in reserve, and Bourbonic quickly erased the deficit when angled to the outside, capitalizing on the daylight under heavy encouragement by Carmouche to get up at the right time, winning for the third time in his last four starts.

“Todd asked me what I was going to do and I told him I wouldn't move,” Carmouche said. “I was just going to sit, sit, sit, sit and hopefully get out the last quarter of a mile. I knew he would go on from there. My horse was in a good stride. Each pole I was picking them up one by one without even asking.”

The victory was Carmouche's first Wood Memorial win and came one week after the Vinton, Louisiana native completed a winter meet campaign in which he finished second in the standings. Carmouche, who has more than 3,300 wins in his career, has never had a Derby mount.

Carmouche also had another milestone riding for Calumet Farm, building on his win on True Timber in the Cigar Mile in December that marked the 37-year-old's first career Grade 1 win, capping his fall meet that saw him secure his first career NYRA riding title.

“I'm thrilled for Calumet Farm. I won my first Grade 1 with True Timber in the Cigar Mile for them and now I won the Wood for them,” Carmouche said. “These past six months of my career have just been what you dream of.”

Bourbonic, who could have been claimed for $50,000 out of a maiden race on December 6 at Aqueduct, returned $146.50 on a $2 win wager. The victory upped his career earnings to $465,800.

The son of Bernardini improved to 3-1-0 in six starts and three wins in four starts since going back to dirt after running 11th in a turf start on November 14 at Aqueduct.

“Sometimes the worst thing you can have is a hot hand in January and February,” Pletcher said. “We were hoping something would come together and we always thought he had potential to step up. It was good to see him do it.”

Dynamic One, ridden by Jose Ortiz, was also making his stakes bow for Pletcher and garnered the 40 qualifying points by topping Crowded Trade by 1 1/4 lengths for runner-up honors.

Owned by Repole Stable, Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable, Dynamic One broke his maiden at fourth asking in his previous start going the Wood Memorial distance on March 7 at the Big A. The Union Rags colt, a $725,000 purchase at the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, handled the step up in class.

“The one thing we were concerned about is if he made the lead he might idle a little bit,” Pletcher said. “Jose said he tried to time it as well as he could and he was hoping the leader would carry him to the wire more than he did. It was another step forward for him.”

Crowded Trade, trained by Chad Brown and ridden by Eric Cancel, picked up 20 points by finishing 1 3/4 lengths clear of Weyburn for third. Weyburn, who earned 50 points for his Gotham win, brought his total to 60.

Updated Kentucky Derby leaderboard.

“It looked for a moment like he had dead aim to maybe even win the race, but he just hung a little bit down the lane and ran a little bit evenly,” Brown said. “I was really proud of his effort. I thought he ran his race despite missing the break a bit and falling a little bit too far back. Watching his race, I think you'd have to be concerned how far he'll run. He had dead aim and didn't really close any ground from the eighth pole home.”

The New York-bred Brooklyn Strong finished fifth, with Prevalence, the favorite Risk Taking, Market Maven and Candy Man Rocket completing the order of finish.

Sunday will not feature racing at Aqueduct because of the Easter holiday. The 11-day Big A spring meet, which runs through April 18, will resume on Thursday with an eight-race card. First post is 1:20 p.m. Eastern.

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Given the narrowest of nods on the morning line is Klaravich Stables' Risk Taking (Medaglia d'Oro). Unable to factor in his first two outings, one sprinting on dirt and one routing on yielding turf, the $240,000 Keeneland September buy sprung to life when returned to dirt over Saturday's nine-furlong trip with a clear graduation here Dec. 13. He followed that up with a strong rally to win the local GIII Withers S. Feb. 6.

The waters get significantly deeper in here though, and one need look no further than the presence of Godolphin's undefeated 'TDN Rising Star' Prevalence (Medaglia d'Oro) to confirm that. Rocketing away to a devastating 8 1/2-length victory on debut going seven panels Jan. 23 at Gulfstream, the Brendan Walsh trainee stretched out a furlong in an allowance/optional claimer there Mar. 11 and wasn't quite as impressive while still winning by three lengths as a 1-10 favorite.

The first two finishers from the GIII Gotham S. here Mar. 6 return and figure as major players. Dismissed at over 46-1 that day, Chiefswood Stable's homebred Weyburn (Pioneerof the Nile) dug in resolutely through the stretch to just nose out Klaravich Stables' Crowded Trade (More Than Ready). The latter was making just his second career start after graduating on debut when hammered down to even-money over a local six furlongs Jan. 28.

The blue-collar returnee Brooklyn Strong (Wicked Strong) demands attention as well. Bought for just $5,000 as an OBS April juvenile, the gelding debuted a winner against $40,000 maiden claimers at Delaware and has gotten better in every start since, running third in the New York-bred Bertram F. Bongard S. and winning the Empire-bred Sleepy Hollow S. 22 days later before gutting out a score in the track-and-trip GII Remsen S. Dec. 5. Unseen since then, he shows a sharp worktab for trainer Danny Velazquez at his Parx base, including a five-furlong bullet in :59 3/5 (1/16) Mar. 20.

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The nine-furlong test for 3-year-olds is the final local Kentucky Derby qualifier, awarding 100-40-20-10 points to the top-four finishers.

Godolphin seeks its first Kentucky Derby win but could have as many as three entries on the first Saturday in May with unbeaten Champion 2-Year-Old Essential Quality, who runs in Saturday's Grade 2 Blue Grass at Keeneland, and Group 2 UAE Derby winner Rebel's Romance.

If Prevalence is to join Godolphin's Derby contingent, he'll need to finish first or second in the Wood Memorial to garner the required qualifying points.

Unbeaten in two starts, the son of multiple champion-producing stallion Medaglia d'Oro has yet to start at graded stakes level. The talented bay colt shined going seven furlongs on debut on Jan. 23 at Gulfstream Park, which he won by 8 ½ lengths in paid workout-like fashion.

The debut score had trainer Brendan Walsh and Godolphin USA president Jimmy Bell considering going right into graded stakes company in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth on Feb. 27 at Gulfstream Park. However, a fever altered the colt's training schedule and the connections called an audible with Prevalence returning victorious in a one-turn optional-claiming mile on March 11 at Gulfstream.

“I really think that's the goodness of having an allowance race,” Bell said. “A lot of time you get that wow factor of a first performance and then you don't get that in their second race. In all fairness, it is their lifetime second start, so they are still figuring things out. That's more natural than an issue. Perhaps it's maybe a blessing in going back in an allowance race. He got good experiences in both races. To have those two races under his belt. They were both progressive steps.”

Prevalence breezed a stiff half-mile in 47.60 seconds at Palm Meadows Training Center on Sunday, the fastest of 30 works at the distance.

“His last work showed that his energy level was where it needed to be,” Bell said. “He went a half in 47 and 3 and galloped out as easy as possible, so his energy level right there said it all. He's an easy horse to read. You know where he's at and what he's feeling. Certainly, the extra time and having the Wood Memorial where it is on the calendar was important.”

Bell said the Wood Memorial will dictate the direction of the horse's sophomore campaign.

“When the race is finished, he'll answer all our questions and point us in one direction or another,” Bell said. “We want to let him show us what he is or isn't or what he can or can't do. Even if you can't run a mile and a quarter, there's good races and great careers that come underneath that.”

Prevalence represents Godolphin's legacy and that of his multiple champion-producing sire Medaglia d'Oro as well. The prolific stallion has stood at Darley Stud, Godolphin's breeding division, since 2009 and has been amongst the leading sires in North America.

Bell identified a similar mental strength between Prevalence and his sire.

“They both have that ability to respond to whatever and however,” Bell said. “They put all their energy into their running. I'm a big believer in mental toughness as well as physical ability. It's important to have it all from a physical standpoint but having it mentally all together is also important. During his racing career, Medaglia d'Oro showed up on a lot of big days and was very consistent. This one is consistent so far as well.”

Medaglia d'Oro, a three-time Grade 1-winner who captured the 2002 Travers, also is the sire of Wood Memorial aspirant Risk Taking, who likely poses the biggest threat to Prevalence.

“It would be nice to see a Medaglia d'Oro in the winner's circle,” Bell said.

Godolphin enjoyed a record-extending ninth triumph in the Group 1 $12 million Dubai World Cup last Saturday with Mystic Guide, which will be a tough act to follow for the lightly raced Prevalence.

Bell said Mystic Guide will get some rest and relaxation after a 3 ¾-length victory in the Dubai World Cup. The son of Ghostzapper trained by Michael Stidham was Godolphin's first North American-based and trained Dubai World Cup winner.

Bell said that Mystic Guide could return to action this summer at Saratoga Race Course.

“It's been a phenomenal 2021 for him and us both,” Bell said. “Watching him show us the talent he has and that he can get the mile and a quarter distance was gratifying to see. He'll get a pretty good break coming back home after two just unbelievable races this year We're talking more Saratoga-ish time of the year.”

Never worse than third in eight career starts, Mystic Guide won last year's Grade 2 Jim Dandy at Saratoga before a close second to Happy Saver in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park. After a 4 ½-month layoff, he returned to action with a six-length win in the Grade 3 Razorback over a sloppy track at Oaklawn Park en route to Dubai.

“He showed that he can handle any kind of track it seems,” Bell said. “It's never an easy assignment to ship halfway around the world and bring your 'A' game. He handled it all very well. He showed that he's made a big development not only physically but mentally as well. It takes a certain type of horse mentally and physically to handle that travel on a big night. He certainly shined on the right evening.”

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The Wood Memorial drew a field of nine, led by the one-two finishers in the Grade 3 Gotham Stakes last month in Weyburn and Crowded Trade, respectively. Another stakes winner who may belong is Risk Taking, who won the Grade 3 Withers Stakes in February at Aqueduct but who skipped the Gotham. Brooklyn Strong won the Grade 2 Remsen Stakes over the track at the distance of the Wood Memorial, but it may be a tall order to pick up where he left off following four months on the bench and versus horses which all ran much more recently.

Candy Man Rocket won the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis Stakes in February before an 11th of 12 finish in the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby and it may be a stretch to go from next-to-last in that recent race to a top competitor in the Wood Memorial. Market Maven and Bourbonic finished first and second, respectively, in an allowance race at Parx Racing in Pennsylvania but appear overmatched, as does recent maiden winner Dynamic One.

Then there's Prevalence, a strong winner of both starts in his career shipping in to New York from Florida for Godolphin, which already has a significant presence on the “Road to the Derby” with Rebel's Romance (winner of the U.A.E. Derby last weekend), Essential Quality (running in the Blue Grass Stakes), and Proxy.

Weyburn was disregarded by bettors at 46 to 1 odds one month ago in the Gotham Stakes but proved to be an exceptionally tough competitor when winning by a nose. After attending the pace only a half-length behind the leader for the first half-mile, Weyburn engaged for the lead for the rest of the race, first battling head and head with Freedom Fighter then battling nose and nose the entire last eighth of a mile with Crowded Trade. That effort occurring one month ago leads me to believe he will not regress and will move forward to run even better in the Wood Memorial. Considering Weyburn earned a career-best 105 Equibase Speed Figure, tied for best in the field with Crowded Trade, it would take significant improvement by any other runner except Crowded Trade to run faster than Weyburn demonstrating logical improvement in his second start following three months off. As such, Weyburn gets slight preference among two horses I feel stand out against the rest in terms of their probability to win this race.

Crowded Trade has no knocks, having won in his career debut at the end of January before stepping into stakes company in the Gotham Stakes last month and giving it his all. Third place Gotham finisher Highly Motivated is looking for different scenery this weekend and will run in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes. With no other horse having run as fast as either Crowded Trade (or Weyburn) who earned a 105 figure in the Gotham, this lightly raced colt making his third career start has significant improving he can do and must be considered a strong contender to win. As to his breeding to run this nine furlong trip, there's no doubt as a son of More Than Ready that is not an issue as the sire's Catholic Boy won graded stakes at a mile and one-quarter. Trained by Chad Brown and ridden by red hot Eric Cancel, Crowded Trade has every right to turn the tables on Weyburn in their second meeting and move on to the Kentucky Derby in fine form.

Prevalence, like Crowded Trade, has only run twice, and likewise his second race was a one-turn mile in which he ran impressively. After winning his debut by eight lengths in handy fashion with a 99 figure, Prevalence won his second start just as easily by three lengths with a 98 figure but likely could have gone faster. Perhaps more importantly, after he crossed the finish line it was noted by the astute chart caller for Equibase that Prevalence was “urged past the wire for an eighth of a mile or so past the finish.” This is significant, as it shows a plan beforehand between jockey Tyler Gaffalione (who rides in the Wood) and trainer Brendan Walsh (who trained top 3-year-old Maxfield last year) to give the colt experience at running the distance of his next race. Being a son of Medaglia d'Oro, who sired tremendous stakes winners like Songbird and Wonder Gadot, if Prevalence got the foundation for this race as intended, improving enough to win the Wood Memorial is not out of the question.

In case readers are wondering, the reason I'm not considering Risk Taking a win contender has to do with the fact he comes back from two months off after winning the Withers Stakes in February. Although the 102 figure earned in that race may be competitive with the top horses in the Wood if he improves on it, the fact that he skipped the Gotham and most of his opponents ran more recently gives me pause.

The rest of the field, with their best representative Equibase Speed Figures, is Bourbonic (88), Brooklyn Strong (99), Candy Man Rocket (90), Dynamic One (87) and Market Maven (94).

Win Contenders:
Weyburn
Crowded Trade
Prevalence

Wood Memorial Stakes Presented by Resorts World Casino – Grade 2
Race 10 at Aqueduct
Saturday, April 3 – Post Time 5:58 PM E.T.
One Mile and One Eighth
Three Year Olds
Purse: $750,000
TV: NBC Sports Network 5:30 – 7:30 PM ET

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The nine-furlong two-turn contest is the final local qualifier for the Grade 1, $3 million Kentucky Derby on May 1 at Churchill Downs and awards 100-40-20-10 qualifying points to the top-four finishers.

The Wood Memorial, which has seen 11 winners go on to win the “Run for the Roses” in its illustrious history, will air on NBSCN as part of a live national broadcast beginning at 5:30 p.m. Eastern and scheduled to include the Grade 2, $800,000 Toyota Blue Grass from Keeneland and the Grade 1, $750,000 Runhappy Santa Anita Derby at Santa Anita Park.

Prior to the NBCSN broadcast, national television coverage of the Wood Memorial Day card from Aqueduct can be found on America's Day at the Races on FS2 beginning at 1 p.m. ET.

The Wood Memorial is one of five graded events on Saturday at the Big A, including the first New York Grade 1 race of the year in the $300,000 Carter for 4-year-olds and up going seven furlongs; the Grade 3, $200,000 Bayshore for 3-year-olds going seven furlongs; the Grade 3, $150,000 Excelsior for 4-year-olds and up going nine furlongs; and the Grade 3, $250,000 Gazelle, a nine-furlong test for sophomore fillies offering 100-40-20-10 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points.

Godolphin, whose royal blue colors saw the winner's circle in the 2015 Wood Memorial with Frosted, will seek their second Wood triumph with the highly regarded Prevalence. The Brendan Walsh-trained son of Medaglia d'Oro is 2-for-2 at Gulfstream Park to start and his career will see two turns for the first time.

Prevalence, the 3-1 morning-line second choice, posted an 8 ½-length debut win going seven furlongs on January 23. The talented bay colt defeated Stage Raider, a half-brother to 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify, as part of a talented field.

“There were a bunch of horses in that race being touted,” Walsh said. “A lot of them have come back and run well, which showed that the form was respectable. He won by a very wide margin and no matter the company you're in that's pretty remarkable.”

He handled a stretch out to a mile on March 11 over the same track, besting an optional claiming field by three lengths. Despite needing light handling in the final sixteenth, Walsh expressed no concern.

“It was just a little bit of greenness. I'm sure if he had company it would have helped him along,” Walsh said.

Prevalence displayed an up close running style in both efforts and Walsh said that his horse should show the same tactics on Saturday.

“He's quick, so with that kind of speed, he should be prominent in the race,” Walsh said. “He hits me as a horse who can handle any kind of surface.”

Prevalence, a Kentucky homebred, is out of the Ghostzapper mare Enrichment, a full-sister to multiple Grade 1-winning millionaire Better Lucky and stakes-winning turf sprinter Final Frontier.

Jockey Tyler Gaffalione retains the mount aboard Prevalence from post 6.

Prevalence will face four graded stakes-winners who have already earned triumphs on the Derby trail. His biggest challenge comes from Risk Taking, who was made the 5-2 morning line favorite after flaunting excellence in both of his starts going nine furlongs at Aqueduct.

Owned by Seth Klarman's Klaravich Stables and trained by Chad Brown, Risk Taking benefitted from the addition of blinkers and added distance in his third career start, where the son of Medaglia d'Oro broke his maiden December 13 at the Big A. Risk Taking settled several lengths off a slow pace while saving ground along the rail before drawing off to a 2 ¼-length win over eventual winners The Reds and Unbridled Honor.

Risk Taking secured 10 Derby qualifying points with a 3 3/4-length Withers win, hitting the wire first after securing advantage inside the final furlong.

Bred in Kentucky by G. Watts Humphrey, Jr., Risk Taking is out of the dual turf stakes-placed Distorted Humor mare Run a Risk. He was a $240,000 purchase at the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Risk Taking drew post 4 under Irad Ortiz, Jr.

Brown and Klaravich are also represented by Crowded Trade, who arrives off a sharp runner-up finish in the Grade 3 Gotham on March 6 at Aqueduct.

The son of More Than Ready won his six-furlong debut coming from 7 1/2 lengths off the pace to get up in the final strides on January 28 at Aqueduct. Despite a cleaner break in the one-turn mile Gotham, Crowded Trade came up just a nose shy after establishing slight command in mid-stretch but did not fend off the inside challenge of upset winner Weyburn.

Breaking from post 2 at 4-1 on the morning line, Crowded Trade will be ridden by winter meet leading rider Eric Cancel.

Trainer Todd Pletcher is in pursuit of a sixth Wood Memorial victory when he saddles Dynamic One [post 5, Jose Ortiz, 12-1] and Bourbonic [post 3, Kendrick Carmouche, 30-1].

Repole Stable, St. Elias Stable and Phipps Stable's Dynamic One graduated at fourth asking when traveling nine furlongs on March 7 at Aqueduct.

In his previous starts around two turns, both at Gulfstream Park, Dynamic One finished a respective second and fourth, with the former coming 1 ½ length shy of victory to dual graded stakes-winner Greatest Honour.

“He's always trained well,” said Pletcher. “He was a little unlucky in his two races at Gulfstream to draw the outside post both times, so we were happy to see him get the job done with the maiden win at Aqueduct. We're going to step up and give him a chance.”

Bred in Kentucky by co-owner Phipps Stable, Dynamic One was bought for $725,000 at the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Pletcher also sends out Calumet Farm's Bourbonic, who takes a major jump up in class. The son of Bernardini notched both of his lifetime victories at Aqueduct going a one-turn mile. He arrives at the Wood Memorial off a runner-up finish in a Parx Racing optional-claiming event on February 23.

“It's a big step. We're taking a shot hoping that we will improve,” Pletcher said.

Pletcher previously won the Wood Memorial with Eskendereya [2010], Gemologist [2012], Verrazano [2013], Outwork [2016], and Vino Rosso [2018].

Cheifswood Stables Limited's Grade 3 Gotham-hero Weyburn seeks to be the first horse since I Want Revenge [2009] to win the Gotham-Wood Memorial double.

The Ontario-bred son of Pioneerof the Nile tracked pacesetter Freedom Fighter from second before battling with Crowded Trade down the stretch to score a 46-1 upset. Weyburn earned 50 Derby points and is currently 10th on the leaderboard.

Trainer Jimmy Jerkens will seek a second Wood Memorial victory after sending out Wicked Strong in 2014.

Trevor McCarthy retains the mount aboard Weyburn from post 8 at morning line odds of 9-2.

A former Wood winner has sired another Wood winner three times in the past 10 years. Brooklyn Strong, a son of 2014 Wood winner Wicked Strong, will look to add to that list in making his sophomore bow for trainer Daniel Velazquez.

Bred in New York by Cheryl Prudhomme and Dr. Michael Gallivan, Mark Schwartz's Brooklyn Strong last raced on December 5, capturing the Grade 2 Remsen on over a sloppy and sealed Aqueduct track.

Brooklyn Strong arrived at the Remsen off a stakes win against his New York-bred counterparts in the Sleepy Hollow on October 24 at Belmont Park.

Manny Franco will be aboard as Brooklyn Strong, at 6-1, will break from the rail.

Candy Man Rocket [post 7, 12-1] seeks redemption after a distant 11th in the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby as the beaten favorite. The dark bay Candy Ride colt owned by Frank Fletcher Racing Operations was a sharp 9 ¼-length winner at second asking going six furlongs on January 9 at Gulfstream Park.

He backed up an impressive maiden victory in the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis on February 6 at Tampa Bay Downs, where he was prominently placed and held off a late charge from stablemate Nova Rags.

Jockey Junior Alvarado retains the mount aboard Candy Man Rocket from post 7.

Rounding out the field is Gregory Gordon's homebred Market Maven, who ships from Parx Racing for trainer Penny Pearce. The gelded chestnut son of Super Ninety Nine broke his maiden at third asking against fellow Pennsylvania-breds on January 20 before defeating open company winners at a mile and 70 yards on February 23.

Breaking from post 9 at 30-1, Market Maven will be ridden by Dexter Haddock in his first graded stakes mount.

The Wood Memorial, slated for Race 10 on the card, honors the late Eugene D. Wood, a New York state politician who was responsible for the establishment of the now defunct Jamaica Racetrack, where the Wood Memorial was originally run.

Since its inception, the Wood has been captured by over 20 eventual American classic winners, including Triple Crown winners Gallant Fox [1930], Count Fleet [1943], Assault [1946] and Seattle Slew [1977]. Other prominent American classic winners to have previously won the Wood Memorial include Twenty Grand [1931], Johnstown [1939], Hill Prince [1950], Native Dancer [1953], Nashua [1955], Bold Ruler [1957], Quadrangle [1964] Damascus [1967], Foolish Pleasure [1975], Bold Forbes [1976], Easy Goer [1989] and Empire Maker [2003].

First post is 12:50 p.m. Eastern.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Aqueduct Racetrack, and the best way to bet every race of the winter meet. Available to horseplayers nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.

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