The $750,000 Wood Memorial Stakes Presented by Resorts World Casino April 5 at Aqueduct serves as New York’s marquee Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve prep race and a significant prize itself given the race’s rich history dating back to 1925.

Triple Crown winners Gallant Fox (1930), Count Fleet (1943), Assault (1946), and Seattle Slew (1977) all won the Wood Memorial on their way to etching their names in the annals of Thoroughbred racing history.

The Grade 2 Wood Memorial is named after Eugene D. Wood, the president of Jamaica Race Course for more than two decades, and the 2025 edition drew a field of 12 3-year-olds vying for Kentucky Derby qualifying points distributed on a 100-50-25-15-10 scale to the top five finishers. None of the 12 entered in the historic 100^th running of the race has a secure spot in the first jewel of the Triple Crown and several runners are making their stakes debut, meaning it’s now or never for this group.

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Post time for the Wood Memorial Stakes is approximately 6:10 p.m. ET and live television coverage from Aqueduct will be available FS2 as part of NYRA’s “America’s Day at the Races” show. Read on for information about each of the Wood Memorial Stakes contenders.

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1. Rodriguez (5-2 morning-line odds)

Jockey: Mike Smith

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Owners: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert Masterson, Tom Ryan, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan 

Career record: 4 starts – 1 win – 2 seconds – 1 third

Career earnings: $122,800

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 105

Kentucky Derby qualifying points: 21.25

Pedigree: Authentic – Cayala, by Cherokee Run

Color: Dark bay or brown

Running style: Press the pace

Analysis: The last Wood Memorial winner to come out of a Southern California prep race was Bob and John in 2006, but it’s a small group that have tried it with only five total starters since 2007 producing a pair of top-three finishes. Rodriguez turned heads in January at Santa Anita Park with a seven-length maiden win at a mile that earned him his career-best 105 Equibase Speed Figure. Subsequently tested against stakes competition by Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, the Authentic colt finished second to champion Citizen Bull in the $200,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes Feb. 1 and a distant third to Journalism in the $300,000 DK Horse San Felipe Stakes March 1. Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, once a dominant force in New York, ships in from California to take the assignment, and there does not appear to be a 3-year-old of the caliber of Citizen Bull or Journalism among the Wood Memorial contenders. Rodriguez’s tactical speed figures to be an asset and he very likely will use it early from the inside post under Smith, who won the Wood in 1990 on Thirty Six Red, in 1992 aboard Devil His Due, and in 1996 with Unbridled’s Song. Baffert won the race with Congaree (2001) and the aforementioned Bob and John (2006) and he brings a strong win candidate in 2025. Of note: Rodriguez will race with blinkers removed in the Wood Memorial.

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Blinkers are cups that are placed on the outside of each eye on a horse prior to a race. They can be cut to different lengths and are used to restrict the horse’s field of vision, which ideally will enable him/her to perform better through improved focus on what is in front of him rather than what is behind. If a horse has blinkers removed for a race, the goal could be to give him a better sense of his surroundings while vying for position and/or to help him relax.

Bet Rodriguez in the Wood Memorial Stakes.

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2. Captain Cook (7-2)

Jockey: Manny Franco

Trainer: Rick Dutrow Jr.

Owner: St. Elias Stable

Career record: 3 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $188,256

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 95

Kentucky Derby qualifying points: 20

Pedigree: Practical Joke – Pow Wow Wow, by Indian Charlie

Color: Bay

Running style: Press the pace

Analysis: Captain Cook followed a dominant 9 ¼-length maiden win in a sprint race Dec. 28 on a muddy track at Aqueduct with a 2 ¼-length score at this track and 1 1/8-mile distance in the $250,000 Withers Stakes Feb. 1. He earned career-best Equibase and Beyer Speed Figures for his stakes debut and profiles as a leading contender for the Wood Memorial off that victory. Like Rodriguez to his inside, Captain Cook has tactical speed and should be up near the pace in the early stages of the race. His previous victory on a sloppy track also could be a key factor to consider as the forecast in the area calls for plenty of rain on Saturday. With only 20 Kentucky Derby qualifying points, he might need a top-two finish to secure a spot in the race as he would very likely be right on the cusp with the 25 points awarded for third place.

Bet Captain Cook in the Wood Memorial Stakes.

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3. Tiger Twenty Four (30-1)

Jockey: Javier Castellano

Trainer: Bill Mott

Owner: Peachtree Stable

Career record: 3 starts – 1 win – 1 second – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $57,400

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 83

Kentucky Derby qualifying points: 0

Pedigree: Lord Nelson – Pakhet, by Cairo Prince

Color: Chestnut

Running style: Stalker/Press the pace

Analysis: Tiger Twenty Four makes his stakes debut in the Wood Memorial Stakes after a five-length runaway victory in a one-mile maiden special weight race March 15 at Gulfstream Park.  That followed an unplaced career debut and a second-place finish at 1 1/16 miles, both in January at the Florida track. Sometimes it takes a few starts for a racehorse to figure things out, and perhaps the lightbulb came on for the Lord Nelson colt in his third race as he showed more early speed. He subsequently posted a bullet workout at Gulfstream, the fastest of 19 at the half-mile distance on March 27, in preparation for the Wood Memorial for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, who won this race last year with Resilience and in 2019 with Tacitus. Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano picks up the mount for injured Junior Alvarado and will try to earn his third victory in the race after wins with Bellamy Road (2005) and Gemologist (2012). Tiger Twenty Four would need to improve his Equibase Speed Figure by about 20 points to be a win contender but he could secure a minor award with another incremental step forward.

Bet Tiger Twenty Four in the Wood Memorial Stakes.

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4. My Mitole (20-1)

Jockey: Luis Rivera Jr.

Trainer: Carlos Martin

Owner: Half Hollow Stables

Career record: 5 starts – 2 wins – 1 second – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $108,350

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 96

Kentucky Derby qualifying points: 10

Pedigree: Mitole – Board Battle, by Seeking the Gold

Color: Chestnut

Running style: Stalker

Analysis: My Mitole made his stakes debut in the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct and faded late to finish 6 ½ lengths behind winner Flood Zone in the one-mile race March 1. That followed back-to-back wins at a mile at Aqueduct. His speed figures have been trending positively, but given his lack of punch in the stretch of the Gotham and the fact that he was not nominated to the Triple Crown, stamina looms a major concern in his first try racing around two turns. My Mitole figures to be a longshot in the Wood Memorial and deservedly so with both class and stamina questions to answer. Trainer Carlos Martin’s grandfather, Hall of Fame trainer Frank “Pancho” Martin, won the Wood Memorial with Manassa Mauler (1959) and Rube The Great (1974). My Mitole will race with blinkers in the Wood Memorial.

Bet My Mitole in the Wood Memorial Stakes.

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5. Sand Devil (8-1)

Jockey: Jose Lezcano

Trainer: Linda Rice

Owner: Chester Broman Sr.

Career record: 4 starts – 3 wins – 1 second – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $211,800

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 106

Kentucky Derby qualifying points: 25

Pedigree: Violence – Mineralogist, by Mineshaft

Color: Chestnut

Running style: Press the pace

Analysis: Gotham Stakes runner-up Sand Devil is another Wood Memorial Stakes contender with tactical speed who could make his presence felt early in the 1 1/8-mile race, and he owns the top Equibase Speed Figure in the field. The Violence colt earned that 106 Equibase Speed Figure for a one-mile allowance win by 12 ½ lengths Jan. 2 at one mile at Aqueduct and followed with a stakes win against New York-breds in the Damon Runyon Stakes Feb. 8. After going 3-for-3 against state-breds, Sand Devil held his own against better competition in the Gotham Stakes when 3 ¼ lengths behind winner Flood Zone, and he will try to stretch out around two turns for the first time in the Wood Memorial for trainer Linda Rice. Sand Devil’s dam (mother), Mineralogist, was a stakes winner at 1 1/8 miles so there is some reason for optimism the extra eighth of a mile could be within his scope. A top-three finish would cement a spot in the Kentucky Derby for Sand Devil.  

Bet Sand Devil in the Wood Memorial Stakes.

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6. Hill Road (SCRATCHED)

Jockey: Joel Rosario

Trainer: Chad Brown

Owner: Amo Racing USA

Career record: 4 starts – 1 win – 0 seconds – 2 thirds

Career earnings: $226,496

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 98

Kentucky Derby qualifying points: 24

Pedigree: Quality Road – Exotic Notion, by Lemon Drop Kid

Color: Bay

Running style: Closer

Analysis: The Wood Memorial Stakes has been kind to horses rallying from off the pace – read Keeler Johnson’s five key trends to know about the Wood Memorial – with six of the last 14 winners rallying from the back half of the field and eight of the last 14 winners positioned outside the top three after the opening half-mile. Hill Road has closed willingly in his two starts in North America to finish third against top competition in the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance last November and the Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby March 8. Considering the Tampa Bay Derby was Hill Road’s first race in four months, the Quality Road colt is eligible to take a step forward in the Wood Memorial for trainer Chad Brown. Hill Road picks up the services of two-time Wood Memorial Stakes winner Joel Rosario, who won the race with Frosted (2015) and Mo Donegal (2022), and the duo should be passing horses in the stretch. Hill Road has a shot to win if he improves in his second start of the year and probably would qualify for the Kentucky Derby with a top-three finish. Update: NYRA reported April 3 that Hill Road will be withdrawn from the Wood Memorial after spiking a fever.

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7. Grande (5-1)

Jockey: Dylan Davis

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Owner: Repole Stable

Career record: 2 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $88,200

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 89

Kentucky Derby qualifying points: 0

Pedigree: Curlin – Journey Home, by War Front

Color: Dark bay or brown

Running style: Press the pace

Analysis: Grande’s chances to qualify for the Kentucky Derby rest entirely upon the Wood Memorial Stakes. The Curlin colt has two wins by open lengths in as many starts, including an eye-catching, 2 ½-length win at this 1 1/8-mile distance Feb. 27 at Gulfstream Park. He ships north for his stakes debut for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, who has won seven of the last 14 editions of the Wood Memorial. Grande will need finish in the top two to secure a spot in the Kentucky Derby and he’ll very likely need to improve his speed figures to produce that type of effort in his third career start. There also is plenty of speed to contend with in the early stages, so settling into a comfortable rhythm behind the early speed could be the key for Grande. He’s bred to excel at longer distances and already has a win at 1 1/8 miles, he should thrive on a wet track, and Pletcher clearly knows how to identify a viable Wood Memorial contender. Jockey Dylan Davis picks up the mount for this race on a colt who looks like a win contender; his father, Robbie, won the Wood Memorial in 1998 on Coronado’s Quest.

Bet Grande in the Wood Memorial Stakes.

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8. Passion Rules (12-1)

Jockey: Kendrick Carmouche

Trainer: Brad Cox

Owner: Calumet Farm

Career record: 3 starts – 3 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $114,600

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 92

Kentucky Derby qualifying points: 0

Pedigree: Friesan Fire – Goodnight Angel, by Touch Gold

Color: Bay

Running style: Closer

Analysis: Passion Rules is another Wood Memorial Stakes entrant making his stakes debut with his chances to qualify for the first jewel of the Triple Crown hinging on a top-two finish. He made his career debut Jan. 27 at Fair Grounds and is unbeaten in three starts, all around two turns, most recently winning a 1 1/16-mile allowance-optional claiming race at Oaklawn Park by 2 ¼ lengths from off the pace. Passion Rules faces a steep class test here in his stakes debut and would very likely need to run the fastest race of his life to be a win contender. His trainer, Brad Cox, already has a strong hand for the U.S. classics with Curlin Florida Derby presented by Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa winner Tappan Street, Jeff Ruby Steaks winner Final Gambit, and Gotham Stakes winner Flood Zone headlining a stable deep in 3-year-old talent. He could add to that group Saturday in the Wood Memorial with Passion Rules, who figures to get a nice setup for his closing kick with plenty of speed in the race. Jockey Kendrick Carmouche guided home 72.25-1 upset winner Bourbonic in 2021.

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Moving up in class: Horses race against different levels of competition based on what kind of previous races their opponents have raced in and won, and in this case Passion Rules is getting ready to face a tougher, higher-quality group than he did in his previous start.

Bet Passion Rules in the Wood Memorial Stakes.

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9. Bear Claw Necklace (SCRATCHED)

Jockey: Romero Maragh

Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.

Owners: Peachtree Stable and Stefania Farms

Career record: 3 starts – 1 win – 0 seconds – 2 thirds

Career earnings: $36,470

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 75

Kentucky Derby qualifying points: 0

Pedigree: Lord Nelson – Goldrush Girl, by Political Force

Color: Bay

Running style: Pacesetter/Press the pace

Analysis: Bear Claw Necklace probably will be one of the longest shots on the tote board when the starting gates open for the Wood Memorial Stakes. The Lord Nelson colt won a maiden race Dec. 1 at Gulfstream Park in his second career start. He returned three months later for his 3-year-old bow and ran third, beaten by eight lengths, in a one-mile allowance-optional claiming race March 9 at Gulfstream. Bear Claw Necklace figures to vie for the early lead in his first start longer than a mile, but he would need to boost his Equibase Speed Figure by about 20 points just to give him a shot to finish in the top three. There is a chance he might relish an “off” track if it rains Saturday as expected, and that probably is his best chance to outrun his odds for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., who pulled off a 59.25-1 shocker in the 2023 Wood Memorial with Lord Miles. Update: David Grening of Daily Racing Form reported that Bear Claw Necklace would be withdrawn from the Wood Memorial to race against easier competition, per trainer Joseph.

Bet Bear Claw Necklace in the Wood Memorial Stakes.

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10. McAfee (20-1)

Jockey: Eric Cancel

Trainer: Rick Dutrow Jr.

Owners: Black Type Thoroughbreds, Swinbank Stables, Judy Hicks, and Scott Rice

Career record: 3 starts – 1 win – 1 second – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $80,880

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 92

Kentucky Derby qualifying points: 5

Pedigree: Cloud Computing – Sataves, by Uncle Mo

Color: Dark bay or brown

Running style: Stalker/closer

Analysis: McAfee won his career debut Nov. 1, 2024, at Churchill Downs in a three-quarter-mile sprint, a performance that garnered extra attention thanks to the colt’s pedigree. His dam (mother), Sataves, by Uncle Mo, produced 2024 Longines Kentucky Oaks winner Thorpedo Anna, who the next day capped a Horse of the Year campaign with a victory in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff. While his older half-sibling casts a big shadow, McAfee continued to show promise in his second race Nov. 24 when second by a head in a one-mile allowance race at the Louisville track in his final start as a 2-year-old. Trainer Rick Dutrow brought McAfee back after more than three months off in the one-mile Gotham Stakes March 1 at Aqueduct. He passed a few horses in the stretch to finish fifth in his stakes debut, 9 ¼ lengths behind winner Flood Zone. This colt would need to improve significantly in his second start of the year to be a threat to win the 1 1/8-mile Wood Memorial Stakes. His speed figures have improved with every start, however, so McAfee has a chance to outrun his odds for a spot among the top-three finishers.

Bet McAfee in the Wood Memorial Stakes.

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11. Statesman (15-1)

Jockey: Samuel Marin

Trainer: Shug McGaughey

Owners: West Point Thoroughbreds, Woodford Racing, and CJ Stables

Career record: 5 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 1 third

Career earnings: $53,450

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 97

Kentucky Derby qualifying points: 0

Pedigree: Constitution – Icon Project, by Empire Maker

Color: Bay

Running style: Closer

Analysis: Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey is known for his patient approach with racehorses, and it appears that has been effective with Statesman. The Constitution colt out of Grade 1 winner Icon Project, by Empire Maker, was winless and well-beaten in three starts in 2024. Statesman earned his first win in his 3-year-old debut Jan. 17 at Tampa Bay Downs and followed with a 1 ¼-length win Feb. 26 at the Tampa track at the same one-mile and 40-yard distance. McGaughey will give Statesman a significant class test in the Wood Memorial Stakes and he would need to run the race of his life to pull off a win at what figure to be long odds. Statesman should benefit from some pace in the race to set up his closing running style and he is eligible to improve in his third race of the year, so a top-three finish is not out of the question. McGaughey won the Wood Memorial in 1989 with future Hall of Famer Easy Goer and in 1998 with Coronado’s Quest.

Bet Statesman in the Wood Memorial Stakes.

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12. Omaha Omaha (30-1)

Jockey: Raul Mena

Trainer: Michael Gorham

Owner: On Your Left Racing

Career record: 7 starts – 2 wins – 1 second – 3 thirds

Career earnings: $209,800

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 89

Kentucky Derby qualifying points: 26

Pedigree: Audible – England Swings, by Kitten's Joy

Color: Bay

Running style: Closer

Analysis: Omaha Omaha is one of two horses in the Wood Memorial field with a win on an “off” track, along with Withers Stakes winner Captain Cook, and that could be a big benefit with rain in the forecast for Saturday in New York. Omaha Omaha won an allowance-optional claiming race on a muddy track by seven lengths last November at Laurel Park. He then ran second in the Jerome Stakes at Aqueduct going a mile in his 3-year-old debut to earn his first Kentucky Derby qualifying points. Omaha Omaha has subsequently finished a well-beaten third in both  the Withers Stakes at Aqueduct in February and the Virginia Derby March 15, both times more than eight lengths behind the winner. Omaha Omaha would probably qualify for the Kentucky Derby with a third-place finish or better, and he most likely will need to run significantly better than he has in his three starts this year to punch his ticket to Louisville. 

Bet Omaha Omaha in the Wood Memorial Stakes.