Venue: Aqueduct Racetrack, Ozone Park, Queens, NY
Scheduled Post Time: 6:34 PM ET
Purse: $750,000
Distance: 1 1/8 miles (Dirt)
Conditions: 3‑year‑olds; Kentucky Derby qualifying race (100–50–25–15–10 points)
This is the final Wood Memorial ever run at Aqueduct, as the track is scheduled to close later in 2026.
Expected Weather Conditions (Inference)
No direct weather data was provided in the sources.
Typical early‑April Aqueduct conditions:
Low–mid 50s°F
Light winds
Possible overcast
This generally produces a fair, slightly speed‑favoring dirt surface.
(Inference only — not sourced.)
Full Field Analysis (12 Horses)
PP #1 — Napoleon Solo (7‑2)
Jockey: Paco Lopez
Trainer: Chad Summers
Pedigree: Liam’s Map – Atomic Blonde
Weight: 123 lbs
Analysis:
A Champagne Stakes winner with strong early speed. His fifth‑place finish in the Fountain of Youth was disappointing, but he returns to New York, where he has run his best races. Lopez is aggressive and should send him early. A major win contender.
PP #2 — Talk to Me Jimmy (6‑1)
Jockey: Ruben Silvera
Trainer: Rudy Rodriguez
Pedigree: Modernist – Prairie Trip
Weight: 123 lbs
Analysis:
A gritty colt with improving speed figures. Rodriguez excels with NYRA‑based 3‑year‑olds. Expect a stalking trip. A live mid‑price option.
PP #3 — Right to Party (20‑1)
Jockey: Christopher Elliott
Trainer: Kenny McPeek
Pedigree: Constitution – Havin’ a Party
Weight: 123 lbs
Analysis:
A longshot with stamina breeding. McPeek’s horses often improve with distance, but he must take a big step forward to contend. Exotics only.
PP #4 — Steel (12‑1)
Jockey: Sahin Civaci
Trainer: Bill Mott
Pedigree: Tapit – Snuggs and Kisses
Weight: 123 lbs
Analysis:
A beautifully bred Tapit colt who should relish 9 furlongs. Mott is patient, and this one may be peaking at the right time. A dangerous sleeper.
PP #5 — Ocelli (20‑1)
Jockey: Joseph Ramos
Trainer: D. Whitworth Beckman
Pedigree: Connect – Zalia
Weight: 123 lbs
Analysis:
A deep longshot who has yet to show graded‑stakes ability. Would need a major leap forward.
PP #6 — Minorinconvenience (30‑1)
Jockey: Jaime Rodriguez
Trainer: Amelia Green
Pedigree: Mendelssohn – Skyler’s Lil Cutie
Weight: 123 lbs
Analysis:
A pace‑dependent colt who may show early foot but is unlikely to stay the 9‑furlong trip. Pass.
PP #7 — Albus (12‑1)
Jockey: Jaime Torres
Trainer: Riley Mott
Pedigree: Yaupon – Adream
Weight: 123 lbs
Analysis:
A lightly raced colt with upside. Riley Mott spots him ambitiously. Could hit the board at a price.
PP #8 — Courting (8‑1)
Jockey: Kendrick Carmouche
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Pedigree: Curlin – Cavorting
Weight: 123 lbs
Analysis:
One of the best‑bred horses in the field. Curlin × Cavorting screams stamina and class. Pletcher is lethal
in Derby preps. A major contender.
PP #9 — Bravaro (8‑1)
Jockey: Edwin Gonzalez
Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.
Pedigree: Upstart – Opera Star
Weight: 123 lbs
Analysis:
A consistent colt with tactical speed. Joseph ships in live runners. A must‑use in trifectas.
PP #10 — Red Zone Runner (30‑1)
Jockey: Mychel Sanchez
Trainer: Hugo Padilla
Pedigree: Practical Joke – Look Deep
Weight: 123 lbs
Analysis:
A deep longshot with sprint‑leaning pedigree. Distance is a major question.
PP #11 — Ottinho (SCR)
Trainer: Chad Brown
Note: Scratched and rerouted to the Blue Grass Stakes.
PP #12 — Buetane (8‑1)
Jockey: Martin Garcia
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Pedigree: Tiz the Law – Taboo
Weight: 123 lbs
Analysis:
A powerful colt with strong West Coast speed. Baffert shipping to NYRA is always notable. A serious upset threat.
PP #13 — Iron Honor (5‑2, Morning‑Line Favorite)
Jockey: Manuel Franco
Trainer: Chad Brown
Pedigree: Nyquist – Orencia
Weight: 123 lbs
Analysis:
The Gotham Stakes winner and undefeated in two starts. Brown adds blinkers, and Franco fits him perfectly. His pace‑pressing style is ideal for Aqueduct. The deserving favorite and most likely winner.
Recent Form & Track Conditions
Iron Honor enters off a Grade III Gotham win with a pace‑pressing trip.
Napoleon Solo exits a disappointing Fountain of Youth, but returns to NY where he excels.
Track conditions for April 4 are not yet published, but Aqueduct dirt in early spring typically plays fair with slight speed bias (inference).
Exacta Recommendations
13 over 1, 8, 9, 12
8 over 13, 1
Trifecta Structure
13 / 1, 8 / 1, 8, 9, 12
8 / 13 / 1, 9, 12
