The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced a bonus program for potential starters in the Grade 2, $750,000 Wood Memorial on Saturday, April 7 at Aqueduct Racetrack that could increase the total purse to $1 million.
If any horse in the field registers a Grade 1 or Group 1 victory prior to running in the 94th edition of the Wood Memorial, NYRA will increase the total purse by $250,000 if the qualifying horse is declared an official starter.
Should a Grade or Group 1 winner become an official starter and trigger the increase, the Wood Memorial winner would earn $590,000 with the runner-up garnering $190,000 and third-place collecting $90,000.
“The goal of this bonus program, which can raise the Wood Memorial purse to $1 million, is to bring the most talented 3-year-olds in the country to the Wood on April 7,” said NYRA President and CEO Chris Kay. “Racing fans can look forward to a tremendous card on Wood Day that includes prestigious races such as the Carter Handicap, Gazelle, Bay Shore and Excelsior.”
Contested at 1 1/8 miles on the Big A’s main track, the Wood Memorial is named in honor of Eugene D. Wood, a New York State politician and horse racing enthusiast who had been a founder and past president of the old Jamaica Racetrack where the race was run until 1960. On five occasions, the Wood has been run in two divisions, resulting in two winners in 1944, 1945, 1947, 1974, and 1983.
Recent winners of the Wood Memorial include Irish War Cry last year, Outwork in 2016 and Frosted in 2015, who ran second to American Pharoah in his Triple Crown-winning effort in that year’s Grade 1 Belmont Stakes before winning the 2016 Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap and the Grade 1 Whitney in his 4-year-old season.
As part of the official Road to the Kentucky Derby prep series, the Wood Memorial is...
Some insights into this morning’s racing program for our IdaBet players:
1ST RACE – (5) PATTON gets third consecutive four-eyeball endorsement. Wide into second week ago, no threat to runaway fave, but nodded in AM opener.
2ND RACE – (3) MONEY MAVEN won battle, lost war in last week’s adult trot. Solid, two-move effort and generous getaway gets him gazed this time around.
3RD RACE – (3) PANAMANIAN HANOVER was an eight-hole endorsee in latest, never coming close to reaching. We sort of have to try him again from here.
6TH RACE – (5) JACKS TO OPEN returns to level of last win. Has not been awful trying tougher, but this is much more realistic venue and works versus these.
7TH RACE – (5) TIME TO QUIT comes downstate after bill-paying season. Don’t know if he can play at this bottom level, but nothing here ought to scare him.
10TH RACE – (6) PINGALING eschewed first-over when ‘peeked’ this past Sunday, only to get shuffled. Angled out and widest, finished with noticed interest.
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$2 +/- (thru Tue., Jan. 9) – 6 wins ($56.50)
from 18 ($36) selex (+$20.50, put away those pitchforks for now)
highest-priced winner – CONSOLIDATOR ($15.60)
lowest-priced winner – OZONE BLUE CHIP ($4.60)
BY FRANK DRUCKER,
Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
Thank you for your continued support of IdaBet.com!
![SELCOURT & PRINCESS KAREN HEAD SUNDAY’S $75,000 KALOOKAN QUEEN STAKES]()
Jan 13, 2018
SELCOURT & PRINCESS KAREN HEAD SUNDAY’S $75,000 KALOOKAN QUEEN STAKES AS FIELD OF NINE OLDER FILLIES & MARES GO 6 ½ FURLONGS
John Sadler’s comebacking Selcourt and Jeff Bonde’s classy Princess Karen head competitive field of nine older fillies and mares going 6 ½ furlongs in Sunday’s $75,000 Kalookan Queen Stakes at Santa Anita.
Idle since running a close third as the 6-5 favorite in the seven furlong Angel’s Flight Stakes here on May 14, Selcourt has been favored in all three of her starts, and looks like the horse to beat on Sunday.
With nine starts to her credit, Princess Karen pressed the pace and ended up sixth in the Grade I, seven furlong La Brea Stakes Dec. 26 and has been facing graded competition in her last three starts.
SELCOURT
Owner: Keith Abrahams, Medallion Racing and Sandra Lazaruk Trainer: John Sadler
A newly turned 4-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Tiz Wonderful, she was beaten 1 ¾ lengths by Faypien, who took the Grade II Summertime Oaks in her next start. Speaking of company kept, Selcourt hooked a buzz saw two starts back when running second, beaten 1 ½ lengths by Grade I winning Union Strike. Bred by co-owner Keith Abrahams, she’s been favored in all three of her starts and will likely be favored Sunday with regular rider Tyler Baze back aboard.
PRINCESS KAREN
Owner: Jeff Bonde, Edward J. Brown and Karen Norton Trainer: Jeff Bonde
A 4-year-old Kentucky-bred filly by Stay Thirsty, she was second three starts back in the Grade III, 6 ½ furlong LA Woman Stakes here Oct. 8 and although she was dismissed at 87-1, gave a very good account of herself when fifth, beaten 3 ¾ lengths in the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint going seven furlongs on Nov. 4. Off at 14-1 in the seven furlong, Grade I La Brea on opening day, she takes a considerable drop in class on Sunday and could be...
Penn National Race Course has cancelled live racing for tonight, Saturday, January 13 due to weather conditions.
Live racing is scheduled to resume on Wednesday, January 17.
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Mahoning Valley Race Course has cancelled live racing for today, Saturday, January 13 due to weather conditions.
Live racing is scheduled to resume on Monday, January 15.
Thank you for your continued support of IdaBet.com and stay warm out there!
