Derby Hopefuls Clash in Grade 1 Wood Memorial

9/5 favorite Daredevil returned from a four-month layoff March 7 to run second in the Grade 2 Swale Stakes behind a buzzsaw in Ready for Rye. Trainer Todd Pletcher connects at a 25% clip with second-start runners returning from layoffs of 45-180 days.  Daredevil, winner of the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes as a juvenile, has won two of four career starts with just a single poor effort – a last place finish in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.  The son of More Than Ready will break from post six under regular jockey Javier Castellano. 

Change of venues for Frosted 

Frosted, the 5/2 second choice on the morning line, was no match for Upstart in the Grade 2 Holly Bull or Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream, and will likely need a winning performance to qualify for next month’s Kentucky Derby.  The Kiaran McLaughlin trainee has just a maiden victory to his credit in six starts, but does appear capable to challenge for one of the top three spots in the Wood. 

El Kabeir tried and tested 

El Kabeir (5/2) has the fifth most qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby and looks to using the Wood as a tune-up for the Run for the Roses.  The John Terranova trainee competed in each  local prep on the Aqueduct circuit winning the Grade 3 Jerome and Gotham while running second in the Grade 3 Withers.