Wood Memorial 2023 Field, Odds and Picks for Saturday 4/8/23

The Road to the Kentucky Derby continues with the biggest point races of the Championship Series. Saturday's big day at Aqueduct in Queens, NY includes the $750,000 Wood Memorial -- the major prep race at the Big A ahead of the Run for the Roses.

The Grade 2 race awards the top 5 finishers Kentucky Derby points (100-40-30-20-10). At the completion of all the Kentucky Derby points races, the top 20 points leaders on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard earn a spot at the starting gate for the May 6 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

The winner of the 1 1/8 mile Wood Memorial will earn enough points to qualify for the 1 1/4 mile Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs on May 6. The runner-up will likely be in the Kentucky Derby as well if not already qualified.

Withers Stakes winner Hit Show returns to run in the Wood Memorial.

The 98th edition of the Wood Memorial is worth watching as leading trainers Brad Cox and Todd Pletcher have top runners in Hit Show, Slip Mahoney, Dreamlike, Classic Catch and Crupi looking to win the Wood.

Winning Kentucky Derby Prep Race Picks

The Duel has been tracking Kentucky Derby prep races since February and March, including:
- Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs (Litigate: 3/1)
- Withers Stakes at Aqueduct (Hit Show: 7/5)
- Robert B. Lewis at Santa Anita (Newgate: 6/5)
- Holy Bull at Gulfstream (Rocket Can: 5/2)
- Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn (Reincarnate, 3rd at 5/1)
- Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream (Forte: 3/2)
- Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds (Kingsbarns: 9/2, Disarm: 8/1, 1st & 2nd)
- Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park (Two Phil's: 3/1)
- UAE Derby at Meydan in Dubai (Derma Sotogake: 10/1)
- Florida Derby at Gulfstream (Forte: 2/5)

FanDuel Racing has you covered for the biggest racing days and events, and you can watch and wager on FanDuelTV. Saturday's $750,000 Wood Memorial headlines a big day of racing that includes four graded stakes at Aqueduct.

The Wood Memorial is Race 11 and has a post time of 6:16 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 8. FOX Sports carries the broadcast coverage as well for the first time from 6-6:30 ET.

Wood Memorial Field and Odds

1. Dreamlike (7/2)

Jockey: Jose Ortiz - Trainer: Todd Pletcher

2. Shadow Dragon (12/1)

Jockey: Eric Cancel - Trainer: Bill Mott

3. Knox (50/1)

Jockey: J. Gomez - Trainer: Saffie Joseph, Jr.

4. General Banker (20/1)

Jockey: F. Pennington - Trainer: J. Ferraro

5. Slip Mahoney (6/1)

Jockey: Dylan Davis - Trainer: Brad Cox

6. Clear the Air (15/1)

Jockey: H. Harkey - Trainer: B. Walden

7. Arctic Arrogance (6/1)

Jockey: J. Lezcano - Trainer: Linda Rice

8. Lord Miles (30/1)

Jockey: Pablo Lopez - Trainer: Saffie Joseph, Jr.

9. Crupi (12/1)

Jockey: Kendrick Carmouche - Trainer: Todd Pletcher

10. Uncle Jake (20/1)

Jockey: J. Toledo - Trainer: B. Russell

11. Classic Catch (10/1)

Jockey: Trevor McCarthy - Trainer: Todd Pletcher

12. Mr. Swagger (30/1)

Jockey: C. Olivero - Trainer: J. Ovila

13. Hit Show (5/2)

Jockey: Manny Franco - Trainer: Brad Cox

Wood Memorial Picks

Clear the Air will scratch from this race and run in the Blue Grass Stakes Saturday at Keeneland. None of the 12 Wood runners has enough points to crack the 20-horse Derby field, making this race pivotal. That includes for Hit Show, who won the Withers Stakes in Feb. as the favorite at this same 1 1/8 mile distance. The Candy Ride colt has a tough draw on the far outside and will be moved to post No. 12. Since 1992, post 12 is 3 for 53 in 1 1/8-mile races run at Aqueduct. Still, His pace and speed ratings in the Withers were strong, and he's still growing and is a worthy win contender.

Classic Catch, a son of Classic Empire, is 2 for 2 at 1 1/8 miles following his Allowance win last month at Gulfstream. New York-bred General Banker, comes into the Wood with 24 Derby points, the most of anyone in this field. He finished third in the Withers, but more than 11 lengths behind winner Hit Show. Arctic Arrogance, another NY-bred, finished second in the Withers after setting the pace for 3/4 miles. He missed the Gotham due to illness, but has been given a strong work schedule coming into this race.

The Horse Racing Nation team and Super Screener race analysis also makes Slip Mahoney a top win contender. He's sired by the great Arrogate, and rates comparable to Hit Show by the Super Screener, yet offers more value. That penultimate work was super strong and indicates that this horse remains in top form.

Pick: Slip Mahoney and Hit Show

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change