When trainer Bobby Frankel discussed the best way for Master David to get to the Kentucky Derby with his owners, one factor stood out in his decision.

"Given that three of the last four winners of the Kentucky Derby came out of the Wood Memorial," said Peter Minikes of Georgica Stable, "it was the logical place to go."

Indeed. Last year, Funny Cide came out of a second-place finish the Wood to win the Derby; Monarchos did the same in 2001 while Fusaichi Pegasus won both in 2000.

Master David, who will be making his first start in two months, was made the early 5-2 favorite under Alex Solis from post No. 5 as a field of 11 was drawn for Saturday's $750,000 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct, New York's most important prep for the Kentucky Derby. The 1 1/8th mile race, which will be telecast at 4:15 p.m. EDT on ESPN and replayed in NBC later, is part of a trio of important preps for the Kentucky Derby, including the Toyota Blue Grass and the Arkansas Derby.

Also entered in the Wood were Eddington, the 3-1 second choice ridden from post No. 8 by Jerry Bailey; Value Plus, listed at 7-2 from post No. 6 under John Velazquez; Tapit, at 8-1, to be ridden by Ramon Dominguez from post No. 2, and long shots Consecrate, Cuba, Hornshope, Little Matth Man, Royal Assault, Sinister G., and Swingforthefences. Trainer Barclay Tagg decided against entering Bride's Best Boy.

While some of the bigger names among the Derby hopefuls will be trying to restore their reputations at Keeneland and Oaklawn, most of the connections of the Wood entrants are hoping the race will nudge them closer to a start at Churchill Downs on May 1.

Master David, for instance, who began his career in Europe, made his first start in the United States at Aqueduct, finishing second to Read the Footnotes in the Remsen. His 3-year-old campaign began with a third in the Santa Catalina (G2) and a victory in the Sham over Derby hopefuls Borrego, Preachinatthebar and Action This Day in February before being sidelined by a fever.

"We wanted to run in the Florida Derby but he developed the fever," said Minikes. "But he raced at the end of his 2-year-old season and at the beginning of this year, and they were all two-turn races." Frankel, who saddled Empire Maker to a Wood victory last year, said he was looking for a top-three finish for Master David to consider a start in the Derby.

"He has to finish in the top three," Frankel said regarding the colt's earnings. "After missing the Florida Derby, he might not be 100 percent, but he should be okay for Saturday."

Value Plus may be the most physically impressive colts in the field, standing nearly 17 hands tall. In the Florida Derby, he had the lead at the head of the stretch but was unable to sustain his run over the very dry track.

"He's a big, athletic horse," said Frank Taylor of Taylor Made Farms, where he was raised. "He reminds us of Unbridled's Song."

Value Plus has two wins and two seconds from six starts, finishing second in the Futurity at Belmont to Cuvee after a maiden victory and second again the Florida Derby after an allowance win.

"When you watch him train, he gives you the impression he'll run all day," said trainer Todd Pletcher.

Eddington, winner of two at Gulfstream, was third in the Gotham as the favorite after being bumped at the start. Trainer Mark Hennig is willing to overlook that race and hopes to be looking ahead after Saturday's race.

"You know, I feel like we've got the horse that has all the credentials that he needs other than some money and the day where he throws it all together," he said. "But you know, we've seen plenty of horses in the past throw it together in February and March, and they just aren't quite the same by May. So, hopefully he continues to progress. He's given us every indication that he will. And we feel like we're looking forward to this race and a couple more down the road."

The complete field for the Wood Memorial, from the rail out:

Royal Assault (Javier Castellano) 20-1; Tapit (Ramon Dominguez), 8-1; Consecrate (Jorge Chavez), 12-1; Swingforthefences (Shaun Bridgmohan), 10-1; Master David (Alex Solis), 5-2; Value Plus (John Velazquez), 7-2; Little Matth Man (Pablo Fragoso), 15-1; Eddington (Jerry Bailey), 3-1; Sinister G. (Paul Toscano), 15-1; Hornshope (Mike Luzzi), 30-1, and Cuba (Aaron Gryder), 30-1.

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